Villa Pierina

Villa Pierina stands as the ultimate testament to a life of achievement and success. In the early 20th century, Francesco Avanzini, a prosperous emigrant from Curio to Argentina, envisioned a villa that would embody the spirit of triumphant return to one's roots after attaining wealth and status in foreign lands. He entrusted the project to the esteemed architect Giuseppe Bordonzotti, renowned in Ticino for his Art Nouveau style. The collaboration resulted in a vibrant exchange of ideas and plans between the flourishing Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and Ticino. Avanzini's vision of 'American Long Island Grandeur' sometimes clashed with Bordonzotti's preference for local architectural elements, but by 1909, the construction of Villa Pierina commenced. Completed in 1910 and named after Avanzini's daughter, the villa later passed into the hands of an affluent German family, who elegantly restored it with exquisite materials, reclaiming its inherent grandeur. Recognized as a cultural asset, this prestigious Art Nouveau estate from the turn of the century dominates Curio with its majestic presence. Extensively renovated in 2012 with the finest materials, Villa Pierina, with its four floors of expansive, illuminated rooms, stands as a residence of extraordinary distinction. High ceilings, grand chandeliers, herringbone walnut parquet floors, inlaid fireplaces, a discreet internal lift, and meticulously restored original frescoes are just a few of the villa's distinguished features. Its sun-drenched southeastern orientation and expansive terraces offer breathtaking views of the surrounding nature, the village, and Lake Lugano. The estate's park includes a large, heated swimming pool with a sunbathing area, while a majestic, tree-lined curved driveway provides an impressive entrance to this historic property. Today, Villa Pierina, an iconic landmark of Ticino, awaits a new owner to continue its illustrious legacy.