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.
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. A revolution in 1848 that lead to Milan’s liberation from Austria.
Despite the elegance and great location of the property, it has remained empty for decades. Over the years, numerous legends are associated with the home. This has lead to the property becoming known as “Ghost Mansion” and “Casa Delle Streghe” (The House of Witches).
THE HISTORY OF VILLA DE VECCHI
Designed and built between 1854 and 1857 by architect Alessandro Sidoli, Villa De Vecchi was built as the summer residence of Count Felix de Vecchi. De Vecchi, who was a well-read and well-traveled man, chose a blend of Baroque and Classical Eastern styles for his new home.
The house while in use, complete with water fountain.
The property was built with the modern conveniences of the time. This included indoor heating pipes, dumbwaiters, and a sizeable pressurized fountain. Unfortunately, Sidoli never got to see the home completed, as he died during the construction of the property.
Legend has it that sometime in 1862, the count returned home to find his wife brutally murdered and his daughter missing. After a long and unsuccessful search for his daughter, the Count committed suicide in the home.
However, this has largely been debunked. By the time the Count moved into the property, he was already a widower and was suffering from liver problems. After he passed away at the age of 46, the property was left to his brother, Biago.
The property as it looked before it started to decay.
Biago would undertake some major renovations on the property, entirely removing the Eastern influence, which would include removing the dome. Biago and his descendants would continue to own the property up until 1938. From then it was left abandoned for the next 20 or so years.
While still owned by the De Vecchi family in the 1920s, another legend has gathered pace. Aleister Crowley, the infamous occultist, was said to have spent time there. Fans of Crowley began to flock to the home with rumors of ritualistic orgies and animal sacrifices.
Aleister Crowley was an occultist, magician, poet, and novelist.
While Crowley did spend time in Italy, setting up the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily, it is not known if he did spend time at Cassa Rossa.
In 1959, after the property had been left abandoned for two decades, the estate was bought by the Medici of Marignano. However, it appears no renovations were ever done. The property then fell into the hand of local entrepreneurs; by now however, the property had been robbed of furniture and vandalized.
THE HOUSE TODAY
Today, Villa de Vecchi remains abandoned, not lived in since 1938. In recent years the Italian Environment Fund has created public awareness campaigns for the villa.
Despite the owners willing to give up the property for free as long as the property is restored, works on the house have been costed at around six million euros.
To add more fuel to the fire, a recent avalanche wiped out homes nearby, leaving Cassa Rossa untouched. However, the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage has stated that the neighboring mountain is of medium to high risk. Making it unlikely any restoration takes place on the property in the near future.
Over the years, the property has gained further attention thanks to its alleged paranormal activity. So much so, it has become known as Italy’s most haunted house.
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. Whether you believe in this kind of stuff, that’s up to you!
The front door to the property no longer exists. Despite the property being fenced off, the house is now covered in graffiti.
The piano which people claim to have heard playing, despite being destroyed.
The view from the roof of Cassa Rossa, overlooking other homes in the area.
If you like Villa De Vecchi then take a look at Carleton Island Villa in upstate New York. Another long-abandoned property that is far too costly to start renovating. Or perhaps Borley Rectory, once known as the most haunted house in the world.