Explore Villa Zanelli – Art Nouveau (Liberty) Architecture in Savona, Italy
Villa Zanelli, located in the Ligurian coastal city of Savona is an elegant example of Art Nouveau (Stile Liberty) architecture in northwestern Italy. The villa is not only a masterpiece of architectural design but also a historical symbol of the Italian Riviera’s Belle Époque grandeur.
True to Art Nouveau principles, Villa Zanelli avoids rigid classical symmetry, instead featuring a picturesque composition with projecting wings, a belvedere tower, and curved façades. The building’s layout flows organically, merging with the landscape and conveying a sense of movement. The exterior is richly adorned with stucco reliefs, sgraffito decoration, and painted panels. These often include stylized botanical elements—vines, flowers, and leaves—a homage to nature, which was a central theme of the Art Nouveau aesthetic.
The villa’s balconies and entrance feature elegant wrought iron railings, shaped into sinuous, organic patterns, echoing floral and maritime motifs. The windows are framed with arched or irregular forms, and likely include stained or colored glass typical of the period, contributing to an atmospheric interplay of light within the villa. The color palette of the villa is soft and refined—light pastel shades, earth tones, and pale terracotta hues—blending seamlessly with the surrounding Mediterranean landscape and the nearby sea.
Location: Via Nizza, 17100 Savona SV, Italy