In the Valsesia region, Villa Aprilia stands as a historical ruin on the Alpe Selle di Baranca, situated above Lake Baranca at 1824 meters. Designed by Costantino Gilodi in 1908, the villa featured a large garden with a fountain, heating system, and terraces for an alpine garden. After Gilodi's death, the property was purchased by the Lancia family and renamed Villa Aprilia, after a famous model of Lancia automobiles.
Following the armistice on September 8, 1943, the location became an escape route toward Switzerland and was used as a support base by partisans. In April 1944, the villa was damaged by a fire caused by the explosion of explosives stored during a battle between the occupying partisans and fascists.
The villa remains in a state of strong degradation and ruin. Although it is still owned by the Lancia family, the entrance arch collapsed due to snow in 2020. The site is located near the pass connecting the Valle Anzasca with the Val d'Egua, a side valley of the Valsesia.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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