Waterfall in Villetta di negro park in Genoa

Villetta Di Negro

Discover an enchanting urban sanctuary that rises above the city centre, transforming from former defensive walls into a lush green haven. This park offers winding pathways, cascading waterfalls, and serene grottos that provide a peaceful escape from the urban environment. Visitors are drawn to its panoramic views of Genoa and its rich history as a gathering place for nineteenth century intellectuals and artists. Today, the site houses the renowned Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art, blending natural beauty with cultural depth. It is a place where nature, architecture, and history converge, inviting you to wander through its heritage.

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History of Villetta Di Negro

The story of Villetta di Negro is one of constant evolution. Initially established as part of the defensive fortifications surrounding the city, the site was eventually transformed into a botanical garden in the late eighteenth century. Under the care of the Di Negro family, the park blossomed into a vibrant intellectual hub where the greatest minds of the era gathered to exchange ideas and find inspiration. This golden age of creativity saw the grounds filled with rare botanical specimens and classical sculptures. As the world entered the mid twentieth century, the park took on a somber role. Beneath the serene walkways, engineers constructed a sophisticated bunker system to protect citizens during the Second World War. The original villa, which had stood witness to decades of artistic dialogue, was tragically destroyed during aerial bombardments in nineteen forty two. Rising from the ashes, the site reinvented itself once again. The construction of the modern museum dedicated to Edoardo Chiossone breathed new life into the area, ensuring that the legacy of art and learning continued. Today the park stands as a testament to the resilience of Genoa, seamlessly blending the remnants of military history with a peaceful commitment to culture and beauty.

Events spanning 200 years

YEAR 1785

Creation of the Botanical Garden

Ippolito Durazzo acquires the land of the former Bastione di Santa Caterina to establish a botanical garden. This marks the beginning of the transformation of the site from a military fortification into a lush green space.

YEAR 1802

Birth of the Intellectual Salon

Gian Carlo Di Negro purchases the property and commissions the architect Carlo Barabino to construct a private residential villa. The site becomes a prestigious intellectual salon, hosting luminaries like Paganini and Lord Byron.

YEAR 1863

Opening to the Public

The Di Negro family transfers the estate to the municipality of Genoa, officially opening it as a public park for all citizens to enjoy. This decision opens the private gardens to the wider community for the first time.

YEAR 1942

Destruction during the Second World War

During a heavy aerial bombardment of Genoa, the original villa suffers significant damage and is largely destroyed. This tragic event leads to the loss of the historic residence that defined the park for over a century.

YEAR 1953

Inauguration of the Oriental Art Museum

A modern structure is inaugurated on the site, dedicated to the Museo d Arte Orientale Edoardo Chiossone. This establishment continues the tradition of housing significant collections within the park.

YEAR 1985

Japan Vanguard of the Future Exhibition

The park hosts the cultural event Japan Vanguard of the Future, featuring an innovative sound installation that integrated nature with light and music. It remains a memorable moment in the recent history of the gardens.

Fun Facts

  • A stunning statue of Giuseppe Mazzini stands at the park entrance, honouring the iconic figure of the Italian unification movement.
  • Architect Carlo Barabino, who defined much of the urban layout of Genoa, was the creative mind behind the original villa design.
  • Buried beneath the park lies a complex network of air raid shelters built during the Second World War, complete with pedal powered air filtration systems.
  • During the nineteenth century, the villa served as a magnet for Europe leading intellectuals, hosting famous figures including Antonio Canova and Stendhal.
  • Edoardo Chiossone, the namesake of the museum, was a talented engraver who spent decades in Japan, amassing one of the most significant collections of Japanese art in the world.
  • The park features a unique man made waterfall, constructed in the late nineteenth century by excavating part of the ancient city wall.
  • The park has served various functions throughout history, operating as a zoological garden and a museum of natural history before becoming the home of Oriental art.
  • The park sits atop what was once the Bastione di Santa Caterina, a vital part of the city old defensive fortifications.

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