0000003192 00000 n It wasnt always this way; once upon a time, the Villa de Vecchi was the grand summer house of Count Felix de Vecchi and his family. In 2018. reported that German hippies had begun squatting on the abandoned property, because they wanted to save it from ruin. Afterwards, it remained abandoned. . The house while in use, complete with water fountain. 5. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Winner will be selected at random on 06/01/2023. The house was originally built in 1925, and it was once owned by a copper mining millionaire. Count De Vecchi was the head of the Italian National Guard and a patriotic hero for his role in the Five Days of Milan, an insurrection in 1848 that led to Milans liberation from Austrian rule. After the police searched his property, they couldnt find any evidence, so he was acquitted. Criminal investigators tried to figure out the motive behind why Dr. Perelson would do this, and they decided that it was due to financial problems. The owner, Hugh Robert Hughes, was a massively wealthy copper tycoon. At the time, he was seen as a local hero, because he was the leader of the Italian National Guard. But they also had classes to teach them practical skills that could help them get a job later in life like farming, mechanics, barbering, shoemaking, and tailoring. . But before he could his oldest daughter hit him over the head, and helped her two younger siblings escape the house. But just eight months later, he passed away. This means it has 365 rooms- one for every day of the year. Daylight hours are best for visiting, and not just because of things that go bump in the night; the house really is at its most viewable (and for safetys sake, navigable) during the day. He had to declare bankruptcy in 2017, and lost Son Coll along with it. 0000042392 00000 n startxref From 1939 to 1943 he was also president of the Italian Numismatic Institute. For decades now, the historic, once opulent, building has been derelict, abandoned to total degradation. Martiri di Otranto is the second place on our 10 haunted places list in Italy. cm=Commanders. While the natural elements began their assault early on, the majority of the houses irreversible damage has been done by humans. The stairs are rapidly deteriorating, and bits of ceiling regularly rain down. From the outside, the 1800s mansion looks like something out of a movie. The villa was then passed on to Felixs brother Biago, whose later renovations oversaw the removal of much of the estates Eastern aspects. This piece first appeared in The Outsider and Atlas Obscura in 2017. It was built between 1854 and 1857 for Count Felice de Vecchi, a known historical figure of Lombardia, active during the Risorgimento for the independence of the region from Austrian domination. From then it was left abandoned for the next 20 or so years. Just east of Lake Como, nestled against the forested mountains of Cortenova, sits a house thats said to be haunted. Maybe this positive energy is why this house found a new home, while other houses with a darker past tend to stay empty for longer. This has lead to the property becoming known as Ghost Mansion and Casa Delle Streghe (The House of Witches). Unfortunately, Alessandro Sidioli passed away before the building could be completed. What they ate was actually Amanita muscaria. Id like to think whats left of the Count and his family is supernatural debris, without consciousness and uncondemned to the source of so much pain and suffering. Nevertheless, the Count and his family made Villa De Vecchi their home during the spring and summer months, and by most accounts led an idyllic if brief existence. Two years later, the house sold, but Lee refused to move out. De Vecchi, who was a well-read and well-traveled man, chose a blend of Baroque and Classical Eastern styles for his new home. Bad boy occultist Aleister Crowley allegedly spent a few nights at the villa in the 1920s, which naturally led to a rise in fan pilgrimages. Villa De Vecchi is truly a magnificent piece of architecture, and unique example of one mans vision that surpassed typical McMansion standards. The unique-appearing home featured both Baroque and Classical Eastern styles, as well as modern conveniences like indoor heating pipes and a huge fountain, reported Abandoned Playgrounds. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The family was only able to enjoy a few years in their summer holiday home before tragedy began. He used his fortune to build a $100 million palace in the middle of a small remote village called Gbadolite. The airport even had the ability to accommodate international flights. Still, that doesnt mean I wont give the opposing and likely accurate side their say. 10. Villa de Vecchi, also known as Cassa Rossa due to its original red color, is a 19th century home located in Cortenova, just east of Lake Como. No purchase necessary. Locals say they can still hear the grand piano being played from inside the ruins on quiet nights. There are some major issues, like a hole in the ceiling that would need to be repaired. Finally, after years of waiting, they were able to. And in the United States itself, there are thousands of them. 0000048095 00000 n But, it doesnt cost you anything extra. Legend has it that sometime in 1862, the count returned home to find his wife brutally murdered and his daughter missing. However, it wasnt all fun and games in the house. A long time ago, this mansion was built for Count de Vecchi, whichs degrading story began when the count find out that his daughter and wife were murdered. Abercrombie's wife, Lucy Abbot Cate . Perhaps its most famous guest was Alistair Crowley who purportedly stayed some time in the early 1920s. cg=Commissioners-General. In the foothills of Cortenova, Italy, the mansion known as Villa de Vecchi sits crumbling, covered in graffiti. Si trova all'interno di un parco di 130.000 metri quadrati, circondata da boschi; l'architettura della villa ispirata alla passione del conte per l'Oriente. Becker began doing huge renovations like adding a pool, basketball court, and guest house. Andrew and Fergie got a divorce, but they still lived in the same house for the sake of their two daughters. One day, Count de Vecchi came home and discovered that someone had murdered his wife and kidnapped his daughter. While the existence of ghosts is still up for debate, the fact that these once-luxurious estates have fallen into decay is undeniable. Upon entering, one immediately senses eyes following them, neither welcoming nor malevolent. After his death, the building became abandoned. 0000008789 00000 n Now, when you see the photos of the interior of the mansion, it has been gutted. Biagio and his family continued to live on the grounds until the Second World War, after which they vacated for good. They had 6 children together, and the oldest child was the last one to stay in their house. Many believe that the house is haunted, or cursed. The building was abandoned and fell into disrepair after De Vecchis death. Attempts were made to sell to outside buyers in the following years, but . Even a luxury hotel, for all the Henry James-esque pretense, would have been preferable. His luxurious compound was attacked by a rebel faction, and Zaire became the Democratic Republic of Congo. These four mansions are a testament to the passage of time, standing as beautiful ruins that intrigue and inspire us to explore further, uncover their secrets and unravel the mysteries of their past. In the lush Taiwanese countryside lies an eerie and fascinating Baroque-style mansion known to locals as the Minxiong Ghost House or Lui Family Mansion. A few tattered signs will tell you as much, so be mindful. In 2002, an avalanche destroyed many houses in Cortenova, but the Red House remained untouched. Villa De Vecchi, Cortenova, Italy - was built in 1862 for Count Felice De Vecchi by architect Allessandro Sidoli. This enigmatic piece of art is a mnemonic device from the early Renaissance. The owner, Hugh Robert Hughes, was a massively wealthy copper tycoon. Villa de Vecchi dates back to 1854. Many considered him to be a hero. I truly hope someone buys this gorgeous property. Steve Jobs Jackling House in Woodside, CA, Everyone knows Steve Jobs as the founder of Apple Computer. xref Now abandoned, the Red Houses outer walls are covered with vines, while inside, frescoes and tapestries have been damaged by humidity or vandalized. He couldn't find his daughter anywhere and committed suicide a year later. The search ended without his daughter in his arms. Second, and maybe even more importantly, the house IS falling apart, and faster than ever. And you know what? This captivating structure is located in Fergene, Italy, a coastal town outside Rome. After the building was complete, Count de Vecchi returned home one day to find his wife murdered and his daughter missing. Liza was even generous enough to give stepmother #3 money every month to continue living her luxurious lifestyle. But before he could his oldest daughter hit him over the head, and helped her two younger siblings escape the house. So, come along as we dive into the past and discover the hidden secrets of these hauntingly beautiful estates. [1] On his return to Italy he gave his support to the National Fascist Party, in which he would consistently represent the monarchical and 'moderate' wing. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles. 0000027954 00000 n He had to declare bankruptcy in 2017, and lost Son Coll along with it. 0000002024 00000 n Read another story from us:Chernobyl Revealed Rare Drone Footage of the Decayed and Abandoned Nuclear City. Unfortunately, Monea had ulterior motives behind buying the famous mansion. Its ultimate fate has been that of a lavish wedding cake left to collapse in on itself in an isolated and indifferent terrain. He himself became Undersecretary at the Treasury and then at the Finance Ministry. By 2003, Mike Tyson declared bankruptcy. After a long and fruitless search, de Vecchi committed suicide, unable to cope with the loss of his family. We're so glad youre curious aboutour Italy intel. Despite all natural and human efforts to bring about its demise, Villa De Vecchi persists. The heartbreak of what happened that night drove the Count to take his own life less than a year later. He died at 103 years old, in 2004. Clearly, this experience put a bad taste in Beckers mouth. While still owned by the De Vecchi family in the 1920s, another legend has gathered pace. According to the whispers that surround the Red House, the de Vecchi family shared a handful of happy summers at the villa but those happy times ended one night in 1862 while the Count was away from home. 0000047319 00000 n Im staunchly ok with that. When he couldnt come up with the money, the Spanish government had the right to confiscate his home until building work was paid. His luxurious compound was attacked by a rebel faction, and Zaire became the Democratic Republic of Congo. Count de Vecchi (1816-1862) was a decorated war hero, accomplished painter, and explorer who, as part of the national guard, played an important role in liberating Milan from Austria during the unification of Italy. The summer home was built for Count Felix de Vecchi, head of the Italian National Guard, in the 1850s. However, Steve Jobs reportedly hated that house. Le pareti esterne della Casa Rossa sono ora ricoperte di rampicanti, mentre all'interno, affreschi e arazzi sono stati danneggiati dallumidit o da atti vandalici. They sterilized boys who they considered too feebleminded. This means it has 365 rooms- one for every day of the year. Today, the current state of Casa Sperimentale remains a mystery, with only brief and incomplete records of its history. It was constructed with all the modern features of the time such as indoor plumbing, hot water pipes, a dumbwaiter, and even a large pressurized outdoor fountain, and was decorated internally with frescoes and friezes. After a long search for his daughter, a heartbroken de Vecchi killed himself, unable to face life without his family. Over the years, numerous legends are associated with the home. The houses misfortunes started soon after construction when the architect who designed it died a year later. It was designed by a famous architect named George Washington Smith, who made Spanish Colonial Revival style popular in California. The boys who went there would learn like any school. In the 1970s, the need for the reform school changed. Now, its estimated that the repairs to the castle would cost roughly $25 million. Having trekked to the villa several times since moving to Italy,* the rare individuals Ive encountered were quiet, camera-toting, and disinclined to disturb anything; nonetheless, the blunt truth is that people have done their worst to Villa De Vecchi, and therein lies the real tragedy. The architect, Alessandro Sidioli, died a year before the house could be complete. 8. The family owned the home for decades until it was passed on to their son. This house is also very close to his mother, The Queens Windsor Castle. The Truth About This Veggie Treat, Philodendron Mamei: A Must-Have Velvety Gem That Dazzles, Rare Chicken Breeds: The World's Most Fascinating & Unusual Poultry, Can Snake Plants Live Outside? He also discovered that his daughter had vanished. She offered to buy Lee a new condo, but she refused to leave, 6. By the time the newly-weds arrived back in Milan, the Count had become a celebrity for his romantic representations of the places he had visited. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 0000031463 00000 n November 9, 1897, Count de Vecchj sat down to breakfast with his friend Dr. Daniel J. Kelly; the two men consumed platefuls of the mushrooms, believing they were eating Amanita caesarea. Italys Most Haunted House: Inside Villa De Vecchi Italy's Abandoned 'Ghost Mansion', The 1942 Genesee Hotel Suicide: The Story Behind the Photo Which Was Titled The Despondent Divorcee, The Lost Janis Joplin Topless Photos in Copacabana, Rio De Janeiro in the Summer of 1970, 30 Cool Pics That Capture Naughty Ladies of the 1950s, Victorian Postmortem Photography: The Myth of the Stand Alone Corpse, Vintage Album Covers Featuring Miss Dolores Erickson, Glamorous Photos of Janice Dickinson in the 1970s and 80s, 49 Old Photos of Men Staring at Women in the Past. Tysons life began spiraling downwards, and he began running into financial issues. The property was commissioned by Count Felix De Vecchi, head of the Italian National Guard, and considered a patriotic hero for his role in the Five Days of Milan. He got out of the car and physically assaulted the other drivers. In 1984, Steve Jobs purchased this house for $3.5 million. Casa del Petrarca (Petrarch House Museum). 78 0 obj <> endobj In 2010, a millionaire health club entrepreneur named Ron Hemelgarn bought the property for just $600,000. Once he stepped his foot inside the house, he initiated a . He got out of the car and physically assaulted the other drivers. Sadly, this wasnt all good, and the school houses many horrors. According to one of the many legends associated with the villa, its decay began after the count found his wife and daughter horribly murdered . Villa De Vecchi, alternately nicknamed the Red House, Ghost Mansion, and Casa Delle Streghe (The House of Witches), was built between 18541857 as the summer residence of Count Felix De Vecchi. And despite all efforts to bring about its demise, Villa De Vecchi persists. Tennis Champion Abandons His Mansion Son Coll. Everyone knows Steve Jobs as the founder of Apple Computer. This Abandoned House In Arkansas Has Its Own Secret Tunnel, Dinton Castle The Abandoned Folly Dating Back To 1769, The Abandoned 46-Bedroom Manvel Mansion In Pearland, Texas, Carleton Island Villa The Abandoned New York Island Mansion. In 2018, The Sun reported that German hippies had begun squatting on the abandoned property, because they wanted to save it from ruin. Questo non per vero. . Despite his desperate search, he never found her and ultimately. A small comfort, some locals claim that music can still be heard coming from the house. After returning to Italy in 1949, De Vecchi supported the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (Movimento Sociale Italiano, or MSI) together with Rodolfo Graziani. [4] In the following year he was appointed to the Grand Council of Fascism and on 25 July 1943, he voted in favour of Dino Grandi's order of the day which deposed Benito Mussolini of his role as Fascist Duce (leader). Once the school closed, a family moved into the building, and it became a privately owned home. It was originally built back in 1854 by Count Felix De Vecchi. Spliced with aspects of truth and verifiable fact, sure, but ultimately spun from over a century of rumors and embellishments. Unfortunately the owner died before the house was completed. has a strange story. He became a multimillionaire at an early age, and purchased a mansion in Southington, Ohio in 1980. The President made it out alive by flying to Morocco. The Perelson house was beautiful, and fit into the hip Hollywood adjacent neighborhood. 2023 Atlas Obscura. [1], In early October 1943 De Vecchi went into hiding with the help of the order of the Salesians of Don Bosco, who hid him from Mussolini's Italian Social Republic (Repubblica Sociale Italiana, or RSI), which condemned De Vecchi to death in absentia in the Verona trial in January 1944. . So he left it abandoned for over a decade. The front door to the property no longer exists. Since then, the house has been abandoned; its been nicknamed The House of Witches. In 2002, there was a huge avalanche that destroyed all of the houses in that surrounding area, except for the Villa de Vecchi. He was made Count of Val Cismon (in memory of the battles fought by his arditi on Monte Grappa in 1918). But things got much worse than ghostly apparitions. The hotel was never built, and the owner wrote it off as a loss. Recently, one of the upper levels collapsed injuring a curious explorer. During the unification of Italy, he was a member of the national guard and played a significant role in the liberation of Milan from Austrian control. However, this has largely been debunked. The property then fell into the hand of local entrepreneurs; by now however, the property had been robbed of furniture and vandalized. According to ghost hunters and those who have visited the property, everything from a female voice to a piano (that has been destroyed) playing has been heard. The windows have long since disappeared, and Mother Nature has begun to reclaim the brickwork. Five years later, a billionaire named Ron Burkle purchased the home for $22 million, because he wanted to develop the land. 0000001056 00000 n Before the 1900s, child criminals were sentenced to the same punishments as adults. 0 See. He hired a famous architect to create the home, and it truly is a work of art. 0000042702 00000 n The citizens of Concord, North Carolina felt that this was unfair, so they created the Stonewall Jackson Reform School. In 2011, a mysterious wealthy investor bought the hotel for just $1.9 million with plans to turn it into a hotel. In 1921, he was elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies. Wyndclyffe Castle, Rhinebeck, New York. 0000043221 00000 n These forsaken relics of another time are strangely beautiful. Nel 2002, grandi massi caddero gi dalla montagna durante una valanga e si fermarono a pochi metri dalla villa, risparmiandola. In one famous trial, a 13-year old boy was sentenced to 3 years of hard labor in prison, all because he committed petty theft. Legend has it that a ghost lives in the villa and that it . In 1959, after the property had been left abandoned for two decades, the estate was bought by the Medici of Marignano. He called himself totally destitute, and broke.. When. Bamboo Palace, Gbadolite, Democratic Republic of the Congo, In 1997, Mobutu was pushed out of his position of power. In 1994, he moved out, without ever trying to sell it. In the years following, the infamous Red House has seen its fair share of foot traffic, for better and, in my leaning opinion, for worse. Located in the mountains east of Lake Como, Villa De Vecchi, more commonly called "Red House", is a 19 th century mansion built by Count Felice De Vecchi in the tiny hamlet of Bindo. Maltz Auctions. 0000021193 00000 n The experience has certainly reiterated how important stories are to us especially for those living in close proximity to their origins and where we each draw the line between fable and fraud. But they also had classes to teach them practical skills that could help them get a job later in life like farming, mechanics, barbering, shoemaking, and tailoring. This house is adorned with a serenade macabre from the Counter-Reformation period. Known as the "House of Witches", the imposing Villa de Vecchi, near Lake Como in Italy, dates back to 1854-1857. Many people believe the building is haunted, and almost no one wants to tackle the amount of work required to restore the building. Count De Vecchi was the head of the Italian National Guard and a patriotic hero for his role in the Five Days of Milan, an insurrection in 1848 that led to Milan's liberation from Austrian rule. Throughout the home, there is a Peter Pan theme, and Jackson claimed that he created this childrens paradise because he never wanted to grow up. Two years after the murders, the house was sold to the Enriquez family. He no longer wanted to live in that holiday home, so he tried to sell it in 2007 for $18.4 million. The count longed for tranquillity and chose this secluded area of the Valsassina for his holiday home. The mansion had a massive swimming pool, zebra carpets, crystal chandeliers, and more. Are you ready to step into the eerie world of abandoned mansions and explore their fascinating tales? The Counts palatial getaway was of an era we frequently romanticize but are seldom given the opportunity to step into, albeit in a more macabre fashion. For the safety of the public and to stop illegal trespassing, the Red House is now boarded up and padlocked, a much-loved relic that inspired an urban legend. However, he never got a building permit from the local government. Built as a summer house for Count Felix De Vecchi and his family, the stunning villa boasted priceless wall frescoes and 13,000 acres of land. In certain instances, the house feels more enchanted than haunted. This mansion was built in the past for Count de Vecchi. By the early 1860s the Count was seriously ill with a chronic liver disorder and spent the last months of his life between his properties in Milan and Cortenova, painting and caring for his children. Once people heard that the house was unoccupied, looters began to steal the valuables off of the property. Italian recipes, weird history, personal tales from, for and beyond quarantine. Sunninghill Park was a country house with a massive 665 piece of land located in Berkshire, England. Villa De Vecchi, alternately nicknamed the Red House, Ghost Mansion, and Casa Delle Streghe (The House of Witches), was built between 1854-1857 as the summer residence of Count Felix De Vecchi . He died in Milan at the age of 46 from liver failure, leaving his wealth and property and the care of his two young children to his brother Biago. Just east of Lake Como, nestled against the forested mountains of Cortenova, sits an inarguably haunted house. Count de Vecchi (1816-1862) was a decorated war hero, an accomplished painter, and an explorer. They refused to actually move into the house, and used it for storage space. endstream endobj 79 0 obj <> endobj 80 0 obj <> endobj 81 0 obj <>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/Properties<>/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 82 0 obj <> endobj 83 0 obj <> endobj 84 0 obj <> endobj 85 0 obj <>stream De Vecchi, who was a well-read and well-traveled man, chose a blend of Baroque and Classical Eastern styles for his new home. In 2002, large boulders came falling down the mountain during an avalanche and stopped a few meters short of the villa, thus sparing it. From 1936 to 1941, De Vecchi acted as governor of the Italian Aegean Islands promoting the official use of the Italian language. Villa De Vecchi. 0000001651 00000 n It still waits for a potential buyer to come along. After a long and unsuccessful search for his daughter, the Count committed suicide in the home. When the house first went on the market, the Jackson estate was asking an insane amount of $100 million. says Giuseppe Negri, who grew up at Villa de Vecchi. A large fireplace and a grand piano were featured in the main living room. He was appointed a Senator by King Victor Emmanuel III. In 2010, a millionaire health club entrepreneur named Ron Hemelgarn bought the property for just $600,000. However, he was only interested in the studio in the barn. The house in Los Angeles where a tragic murder-suicide took place 20 Dr Harold Perelson murdered his wife with a hammer and tried to kill his children After killing Linda, he walked calmly into his. %PDF-1.4 % One day, Count de Vecchi came home and discovered that someone had murdered his wife and kidnapped his daughter. He was trying to sell a diamond called The Golden Eye, and set the price of the house for $20 million as a sort of package deal. According to Atlas Obscura, the mansion was built between 1854 and 1857 by Count Felix De Vecchi, a war hero and the head of the Italian National Guard. Whats more, who doesnt love a good mystery? 12. Making it unlikely any restoration takes place on the property in the near future. It was purchased and turned into a museum before it could become dilapidated, and they established the Hegeler Carus Foundation. Nearly everyone has heard of Michael Jacksons famous home in California, Neverland Ranch. *According to a handful of alternative accounts, in the early 1860s the Count fell ill with a chronic liver disorder, spending the last months of his life between Milan and Cortenova to paint and care for his children. These versions claim he died in Milan at the age of 46 from liver failure, leaving his estate to his children and brother Biagio. Count de Vecchi (1816-1862) was a distinguished military hero, skilled painter, and adventurer who, as a member of the national guard, helped liberate Milan from Austria during Italy's unification. Elda Castle. Three years ago I penned a piece about the abandoned Villa De Vecchi for The Outsider magazine (sadly no more), as well as a no-frills version for Atlas Obscura. In case you didnt know, this is a poem about the journey through Hell. Then, Becker failed to pay his gardener and contractors for their work, so they sued him. Not true. Despite the elegance and great location of the property, it has remained empty for decades. It wasn't always this way; once upon a time, the Villa de Vecchi was the grand summer house of Count Felix de Vecchi and his family. One of the most popular rumors surrounding the mansion involves the alleged affair between the employer, Liu Rong-yu, and one of the familys maids, which led to the maids tragic suicide by jumping down the well. Count Felix de Vecchi married Carolina Franchetti di Ponte in the year 1844. Taste your way through Italys northwest region of Piedmont, sampling sweets, sipping local wine, and foraging for truffles. According to one of the many legends associated with the villa, its decay began after the count found his wife and daughter horribly murdered . In 1997, Mobutu was pushed out of his position of power. Five years later, a billionaire named Ron Burkle purchased the home for $22 million, because he wanted to develop the land. This mansion was so remote, its nearly 1,000 miles away from the capital Kinshasa. If anyone is a true crime junkie out there, you have probably already heard of, . An allegedly haunted mansion with a tragic, tawdry past. The legend says that the Count returned to find his wife brutally murdered, with her face disfigured, and his daughter missing. They created a new building, and the school was no longer used as it once was. The mansion served as the familys summer home for the next few decades until one of Snyders sons fell on hard times due to land-rights lawsuits and was forced to leave. The mansion had a massive swimming pool, zebra carpets, crystal chandeliers, and more. The creepy thing is that on that night, the husband left open Dantes Divine Comedy on his bedside table. Some time later, Count de Vecchi came home to find his wife murdered and his daughter missing. It served as both a holiday home and an experiment to test the livability of this unique and challenging architectural style.

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