Villa Pusterla
Limbiate

Villa Pusterla, also known as Villa Pusterla Crivelli Arconati, is a magnificent 18th-century villa located in Mombello, a district of Limbiate in the Province of Monza and Brianza, Italy. Nestled against a hill, this villa is not only the most important in Limbiate in terms of historical and artistic significance but also stands as one of the major examples of Lombard architecture.

The Early History of Villa Pusterla

The origins of Villa Pusterla date back to the 14th century when it was initially built by the Pusterla family as a suburban residence. In the 16th century, it came into the possession of the Carcano family. Upon the death of Giacomo Antonio Carcano in 1543, the estate, including Mombello, was inherited by his nephews from the Arconati branch, after a prolonged legal battle against the Carcano nephews. It was during the Arconati family's ownership that significant transformations began, particularly under Giovanni Battista Arconati between 1560 and 1564.

The Arconati Era

Anna Visconti, a relative of Saint Charles Borromeo and cousin of Cardinal Federico Borromeo, played a crucial role in the social ascension of the Arconati family through her marriage to Giacomo Antonio Arconati. She was instrumental in converting the villa into a permanent residence rather than just a summer retreat, leveraging her extensive social connections.

Transformation Under the Crivelli Family

In 1719, the villa was transferred to the Crivelli family by Giuseppe Antonio Arconati. Senator Giuseppe Angelo Crivelli spearheaded the transformation of the residence into a political and social hub. The villa hosted several prominent figures, including Ferdinand IV, King of the Two Sicilies, and Napoleon Bonaparte, who established his headquarters here in 1797, favoring it over the Royal Villa of Monza. Napoleon's stay is well-documented through the 216 letters he wrote during his time at the villa. The villa also welcomed the painter Antoine-Jean Gros, who created the first grand portrait of Napoleon here. Additionally, Napoleon's mother, Maria Letizia, and his sisters Carolina, Elisa, and Paolina resided at the villa, with Paolina's wedding to General Leclerc taking place in the villa's oratory.

Decline and Conversion into a Psychiatric Hospital

Following a period of abandonment and numerous ownership changes in the mid-19th century, the villa was acquired by the Province of Milan in 1863. It was repurposed as a branch of the Milan psychiatric hospital, becoming the new Mombello Asylum in 1865. This transformation marked a significant chapter in the villa's history, as it remained a psychiatric hospital for over a century until the enactment of the Basaglia Law in 1978, which led to its closure. Subsequently, the villa fell into disuse, with parts of it being repurposed as the Luigi Castiglioni State Technical Agricultural Institute in 1976. The institute, named after the Italian Enlightenment figure Luigi Castiglioni, who briefly resided at the villa and used its park for his botanical studies, gained operational autonomy in 1980.

Architectural Evolution

Carcano Family

The villa was initially built on a promontory overlooking the surrounding plain. In the 16th century, under the Carcano family, it resembled a fortress-palace with a square shape, corner towers, and an inner courtyard. The buildings were simple and essential, occupying the four sides along a closed courtyard, with a bastion completely encircling it. The layout of the building was linked to a pre-existing medieval core, remnants of which were discovered during later renovations.

Arconati Family

Significant modifications were made under Giovanni Battista Arconati in 1560, focusing primarily on the northern wing of the palace. These works included the creation of new spaces and the connection of the residence to the pre-existing oratory, adding a new altar dedicated to St. Mary Assumed. In the mid-1580s, Anna Visconti Arconati commissioned numerous beautification and restructuring works, entrusting the project to architect Martino Bassi. His designs emphasized proportional relationships and symmetry, and he is credited with the open portico on the western side, later enclosed to create a large hall on the ground floor. The villa was thus transformed into a year-round residence rather than a seasonal retreat. Count Luigi Arconati later added a large balcony overlooking the garden with terraced steps.

Crivelli Family

After the villa was sold to the Crivelli family in 1719, they transformed it into a luxurious palace with an Italian garden featuring fountains and water displays. During this period, the villa was partially rebuilt in the Baroque style, shedding its remaining medieval forms. The current structure, designed by architect Francesco Croce, likely dates back to 1754. The villa assumed a U-shape with a portico connecting the two ends of the lateral wings, creating a small courtyard. The facade, adorned with two semi-towers, faced eastward. The side facing the valley was characterized by the terraced balcony connecting it to the garden, where Abbot Crivelli established a botanical garden, one of the largest in Europe at the time. Restorations were also carried out on the oratory of St. Francis, connected to the villa, transforming it into a private Baroque chapel with frescoes depicting St. Francis of Assisi, St. Charles Borromeo, and St. Stephen Martyr.

Restoration in the 21st Century

In the 21st century, the villa underwent restoration, preserving its Baroque and Neoclassical features introduced by the Crivelli family. The oratory of St. Francis is no longer connected to the palace except through underground passages, which constitute the oldest part of the building. These passages contain remnants of the stairs that descended the hill before the construction of the terraces. Inside, the villa retains frescoes and various decorations, offering a glimpse into its rich historical and artistic legacy.

In conclusion, Villa Pusterla stands as a testament to the grandeur and historical significance of Lombard architecture. Its transformation from a noble residence to a psychiatric hospital and back to a place of historical interest reflects the dynamic history of the region. Visitors to Villa Pusterla can immerse themselves in its storied past, exploring the architectural marvels and historical narratives that have shaped this remarkable villa.