Villa Mariani
Late 19th-century villa with the La Specola studio of the painter Pompeo Mariani and a park with centuries-old olive trees, visitable by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Villa Mariani was built around 1885 as a country cottage for Countess Fanshawe and is attributed to Charles Garnier. In 1909 it was bought by the Lombard painter Pompeo Mariani (Monza 1857 – Bordighera 1927), an Impressionist active between the Ligurian Riviera and the Principality of Monaco, who enlarged it with the help of craftsmen such as Eugenio Quarti and Alessandro Mazzucotelli.
In 1911 Mariani had his own studio, La Specola, built in the park, designed by the architect Rodolfo Winter, who in 1914 also enlarged the villa. Among the illustrious visitors remembered is Queen Margherita; in 1884 Claude Monet had set up his easel in three spots in the park, and some of the olive trees he painted are still standing.
After the painter's death the property passed to his descendants and, in 1998, to a new owner, who had it restored. Today La Specola houses the Fondazione Pompeo Mariani and an exhibition of works by the artist and other authors; since 2008 the villa has been part of the network of the Dimore storiche italiane (Historic Houses of Italy). The park of about one hectare contains citrus trees, palms and centuries-old olive trees.
Highlights
- La Specola studio with original furnishings and work tools
- Works by Pompeo Mariani and Mosè Bianchi
- Park with centuries-old olive trees
- Spots from which Monet painted in 1884
- Founded
- 1870
- Operated by
- Fondazione Pompeo Mariani
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
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Ticket of €8 per person (2026 events programme).
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | Visits by appointment. After restoration, La Specola is open to the public with the original furnishings and the artist's work tools. |
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