Among the woods of the Valsassina, in the hamlet of Bindo in Cortenova, one of the most enigmatic residences in Lombardy stands: Villa de Vecchi, also known as the “Red House”. His shape, now in ruins, still stands out between the vegetation that enveloped it, transforming it into a place suspended between past and legend.
The origins
The villa was built in the mid -nineteenth century, on a project by the architect Alessandro Sidoli, at the behest of Count Felice De Vecchi, a prominent figure of the Risorgimento, hero of the five days of Milan and commander of the National Guard. The building, finished around 1858, reflected the passions of the nobleman for orientalism and exoticism, with decorations and architectural details that made it unique in the Lombard panorama. Her grandeur soon earned her the nickname “Versailles Lombarda”.
In addition to the two floors and the basement, the original projects also included an astronomical observatory on the third floor, never built. The villa was immersed in a park full of vialetti, ornamental trees and a scenic fountain, which has now disappeared. The interiors, richly furnished, hosted a piano that would become, years later, the protagonist of many of the legends related to the place.
The end of the splendor
The splendor of the red house, however, lasted little. Already in the early decades of the twentieth century the De Vecchi family began to neglect it and in 1938 the heirs definitively abandoned the home. During the Second World War the villa was sporadically occupied by displaced people, then she was left to herself. The following decades were marked by looting, vandalism and neglect: the precious furnishings were stolen, the decorations destroyed, and the time made the rest. Today the villa is unusable, the walls threaten to collapse and the vegetation has taken over, while fences limit its access.
A place full of mystery
It was precisely the abandonment that transformed Villa de Vecchi into a place surrounded by a halo of mystery. The stories that have come to life over the years are numerous and often disturbing. It is said that, on the nights of the full moon, complaints can be heard, women’s voices and even the sound of a piano that sounds alone. According to a widespread legend, the count, returning home from a walk, found his murdered wife and his daughter who disappeared without leaving a trace. The tragedy would lead him to suicide. Other tales speak of killed lovers, mysterious suicides and satanic rites celebrated within those walls.
The name of Aleister Crowley, the English occultist known throughout Europe, is often associated with the villa: according to some versions, he would have stayed here in the first decades of the twentieth century, choosing it as a refuge for his esoteric experiments. Also in this case, however, there are no sources that confirm it. Historical reality denies many of the rumors: Felice De Vecchi had no children and died of natural causes, while no official document reports episodes of crimes or suicides linked to the building.
Yet, despite the denials, the dark charm of the villa has never passed away. In recent years, especially in the Halloween period, the Red House has returned to be talked about, attracting tourists, curious and photography enthusiasts. Some inhabitants in the area tell that, over the years, even the custodians have contributed to feeding legend, stageing apparitions to frighten the most unwary visitors.
The future of the villa remains uncertain. Several times there has been talk of a recovery that would require millionaire investments, but no project has ever been started. Meanwhile, Villa De Vecchi continues to survive as romantic and disturbing ruin, suspended between history and myth. Its fame of infested place still makes it a destination for those looking for strong emotions, while for others it remains a symbol of degradation and missed opportunities.
Perhaps it is precisely this balance between reality and legend that explains its timeless charm: born as a symbol of the prestige of a noble family, forgotten by time and made immortal by the stories that are told to it, the red house has become one of the most famous abandoned villas in Italy.
