A magnificent Palladian villa near Lake Garda and Verona, Villa Sigurtà is your chance to live like royalty, spoiled by a dedicated team of butlers, maids and a chef. Frescoed interiors, famous gardens and three elegant pools all speak to Villa Sigurtà’s legacy as a gathering place for Europe’s elite.
With the introduction of a new rental option exclusively for 24 guests, the Imperial Wing and the villa’s recent renovations mark a new chapter in Villa Sigurtà’s history. We sat down with the owner and interior designer, the Count of Sigurtà, for an intimate conversation about the villa’s legendary interiors, prestigious past, and how it continues to captivate today’s guests.
Q: Having hosted emperors and kings, the Imperial Wing carries immense historical significance. How did this influence your approach to curating the space?
A: It was all about making the spaces welcoming, functional, cosy, and comfortable without losing their grandeur, which is no easy feat. The Imperial bedrooms feature rich Manuel Canovas fabrics and bold infusions of colours, which help ground the historic details of the rooms. The result is an atmosphere that feels harmonious, joyful, and relaxed. These rooms make a statement while still allowing our guests to feel completely at home.
Q: Can you tell us about the Imperial Wing’s most striking historic features?
A: Villa Sigurtà's history is not static, and the Imperial Wing is evidence of that. The Salone degli Imperatori for instance is adorned with magnificent frescoes by Falcieri, the 17th-century court painter of Verona. It represents Apollo and the choir of muses on Olympus, celebrating art, music, science, and intellect, the passions of Europe’s aristocracy at the time.
In contrast, the Suite degli Imperatori’s vibrant ensuite bathroom, designed in the 1950s by Tony Duquette, features imaginative, sculptural designs that introduce a playful energy to the wing. Two very different artists from distinct eras, yet both contribute to the ongoing story of Sigurtà, which guests get to relive.
Q: What makes this wing stand out to you in a villa already full of remarkable stories?
A: Italy was born in these rooms. Our family often calls it the “cradle of Italy,” since this wing witnessed pivotal moments that would go on to shape the course of Italian independence. Through its history, it has hosted emperors, kings, chiefs of state, Nobel Prize winners, prime ministers, scientists, and international artists and intellectuals, including Antonio Vivaldi and Uto Ughi. Guests staying in this wing are following in these footsteps.
Q: Tony Duquette’s coral sculptures and the vibrant 1950s ensuite bathrooms are particularly captivating. Can you tell us the story behind them? Have they influenced some of your own design choices?
A: The coral sculptures have a very strong character. Integrating them greatly influenced my choice of fabrics and colours. We could have followed the patterns of the 18th century, which would have created a pompous and monumental atmosphere but one less warm and more distant. Another option was to use white and neutral tones to give a contemporary feel, but that too would have felt cold.
Instead, we chose to follow Tony Duquette’s inspiration — “more is more,” as he used to say — with warm, bright colours. The result is a coherent, lively atmosphere that makes living in the villa a joyful and welcoming experience. This historic monument embraces the guest and, in doing so, becomes their home, with the guest always at the centre.
Q: Are there any particularly unexpected moments or anecdotes from the villa’s history that have stayed with you or left a lasting impression?
A: It is worth mentioning the words of Napoleon III when he came to Villa Sigurtà to negotiate the end of the Second War of Italian Independence: ‘Je m’arrête ici’ (‘I stop here’). I think this sentence has a lot of meaning for the villa as all its visitors find their peace in it. They manage to stop time, to relax, and to become part of the fairytale.
Q: What have been the most challenging aspects of balancing historic preservation with contemporary luxury upgrades for today’s guests?
A: The greatest challenge has been to introduce technological updates while minimising their impact on Sigurtà as a monument. Today, every bedroom has air conditioning, we have installed broadband internet, and even added a Technogym. Yet all these features blend in discreetly. My grandparents faced a similar challenge in the 1940s when they installed the first bathrooms, and they too succeeded graciously.
Q: Throughout the villa, from the frescoed salons to the private guesthouses, what is your favourite room and why?
The Imperial Staircase. Its fresco, depicting the fall of Phaeton from Olympus, delivers a timeless lesson of modesty and virtue. I believe all historic landmarks are meant to convey messages to future generations.
Q: The villa’s two new bedroom suites are situated in one of the oldest parts of the house. How did you approach the design detailing in these rooms — from fabrics and finishes to architectural features?
These new bedrooms were particularly challenging as we uncovered important archaeological remains within the walls. We unveiled the building’s original 13th-century arch structure and decided to restore and integrate them into the decoration. This led us to a more discreet and respectful choice of colours and materials to leave all the protagonism to the ancient architecture.
Q: One notable element is the reclaimed stone basin in one of the ensuite bathrooms. Could you share your inspiration for incorporating this and other distinctive details?
A: The basin was designed and carved by a local craftsman from an old stone unearthed in the gardens. For me, it symbolises an open dialogue between past, present, and future, building on the solidity of heritage and making it part of our everyday life.
Q: Villa Sigurtà is renowned not only for its historic interiors but also for its gardens. Can you share some of the stories behind these spaces, and how they contribute to the overall experience of staying at the estate?
A: The villa’s historic garden is one of the first pre-romantic gardens in continental Europe and is recognised as a national monument. Its three hectares of lawn, centennial trees, and ponds contribute to this timeless sensation of peace that one experiences at Sigurtà. The garden invites guests to walk barefoot, to disconnect, and to leave every stress behind.
Q: What lasting impression do you hope Villa Sigurtà leaves on its guests, whether it’s the design, the impeccable service, or the overall atmosphere of the estate?
A: Those are just essential ingredients. Above all, I want our guests to feel at home here — as our family does.
The Imperial Wing is now exclusively available for those booking the entire estate for up to 24 guests. Explore the villa here, or contact our Villa Specialists for more information.