You wouldnt imagine that one of his mansions would ever be abandoned. Bad boy occultist Aleister Crowley allegedly spent a few nights at the villa in the 1920s, which naturally led to a rise in fan pilgrimages. Just east of Lake Como, nestled against the forested mountains of Cortenova, sits an inarguably haunted house. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Offer subject to change without notice. Sadly, this wasnt all good, and the school houses many horrors. Martiri di Otranto - One of the famous haunted places in Italy Biagio and his family continued to live on the grounds until the Second World War, after which they vacated for good. The citizens of Concord, North Carolina felt that this was unfair, so they created the Stonewall Jackson Reform School. Biography. After graduating in jurisprudence he became a successful lawyer in Turin. Legend has it that sometime in 1862, the count returned home to find his wife brutally murdered and his daughter missing. He died in 2009, and the house remained abandoned until 2015. Martiri di Otranto is one of the most haunted spots in Italy. However, he never got a building permit from the local government. The count longed for tranquillity and chose this secluded area of the Valsassina for his holiday home. Biago and his descendants would continue to own the property up until 1938. Liza Minnellis Evil Stepmother Ruined This Beverly Hills Home, For 14 years, this was fine. In case you didnt know, this is a poem about the journey through Hell. Count de Vecchi (1816-1862) was a decorated war hero, accomplished painter, and explorer who, as part of the national guard, played an important role in liberating Milan from Austria during the unification of Italy. which I guess leaves the question: would you rather die a mere mortal or Gothic legend? The villa was then passed on to Felixs brother Biago, whose later renovations oversaw the removal of much of the estates Eastern aspects. Back in the 1970s, President Mobutu Seso Seko was the leader of Zaire. . While the natural elements began their assault early on, the majority of the houses irreversible damage has been done by humans. It was built between 1854 and 1857 for Count Felice de Vecchi, a known historical figure of Lombardia, active during the Risorgimento for the independence of the region from Austrian domination. Three years ago I penned a piece about the abandoned Villa De Vecchi for The Outsider magazine (sadly no more), as well as a no-frills version for Atlas Obscura. From the outside, the 1800s mansion looks like something out of a movie. He hired a famous architect to create the home, and it truly is a work of art. The house was originally built in 1925, and it was once owned by a copper mining millionaire. Read another story from us:Chernobyl Revealed Rare Drone Footage of the Decayed and Abandoned Nuclear City. The Truth About This Veggie Treat, Philodendron Mamei: A Must-Have Velvety Gem That Dazzles, Rare Chicken Breeds: The World's Most Fascinating & Unusual Poultry, Can Snake Plants Live Outside? (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, One Hyde Park The Most Expensive Apartments In London, Goose Creek Tower The Alaskan Cabin That Never Stopped Growing. The President made it out alive by flying to Morocco. Even though the outside of the home looks like the sort of house that might be haunted, a lot of people say that when they went into the abandoned house, they could actually feel a happy, cheerful energy. Twisted woman who tortured kids is caged after child-rapist lover died in jail FAMILY TRAGEDY Woman, 26, found hanged by husband at home after suffering four miscarriages Boys, including late star. After the building was complete, Count de Vecchi returned home one day to find his wife murdered and his daughter missing. Then, it became a school once again, as well as a foster home for children. . But he died a few months later. Romania: Castles, Ruins, and Medieval Villages, Iceland in Summer: Journey Through a Fabled Land, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Mokele-Mbembe, Accidental Discoveries: A Celebration of Historical Mistakes, Antiques and Their Afterlives: Stories from the Collection of Ryan and Regina Cohn, Monster of the Month w/ Colin Dickey: Satanists, Once Upon a Time: Fairy Tale Writing With Anca Szilgyi, Gourds Gone Wild: Growing and Crafting Gourds With Gourdlandia, Playing Ancient Games: History & Mythology With John Bucher, Secrets of Tarot Reading: History & Practice With T. Susan Chang, Why 18th-Century Scots Performed Mock Human Sacrifices Over Cake. Villa De Vecchi Photo by Jeff Kerwin CC BY 2.0. Now, its estimated that the repairs to the castle would cost roughly $25 million. 0000002024 00000 n In one famous trial, a 13-year old boy was sentenced to 3 years of hard labor in prison, all because he committed petty theft. His luxurious compound was attacked by a rebel faction, and Zaire became the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although the Count tried in vain to find his missing daughter, she was never seen again. 0000028159 00000 n From 1936 to 1941, De Vecchi acted as governor of the Italian Aegean Islands promoting the official use of the Italian language. Despite all natural and human efforts to bring about its demise, Villa De Vecchi persists. Italian countess murdered at summer house. Learn more, https://natureofhome.com/author/natureofhome/, Minxiong Ghost House: An Affair With a Maid Turns Tragic, Ha Ha Tonka Mansion: Accident Kills a Dream, Villa de Vecchi: Bodies Not Found, But House Stands Tall, Casa Sperimentale: Brutal But Captivating, Step Back in Time: The Fascinating World of Abandoned Mansions Awaits, Can Chickens Eat Broccoli? From the grandeur of their heyday to their eventual abandonment, the stories of these mansions are a fascinating window into history. She offered to buy Lee a new condo, but she refused to leave the mansion. At the time, he was seen as a local hero, because he was the leader of the Italian National Guard. Here is where the legend begins to take shape. They created a new building, and the school was no longer used as it once was. Sunninghill Park was famous in the 1980s and 90s. The Count surrendered to the failure and committed suicide. However, in his last will and testament, her father wrote that his fourth wife Lee would be allowed to live in the house for as long as she lived. La gente del posto non sicura che sia stata una buona cosa. Since then, the house has been abandoned; its been nicknamed The House of Witches. In 2002, there was a huge avalanche that destroyed all of the houses in that surrounding area, except for the Villa de Vecchi. Are you ready to step into the eerie world of abandoned mansions and explore their fascinating tales? . Spliced with aspects of truth and verifiable fact, sure, but ultimately spun from over a century of rumors and embellishments. De Vecchi, who was a well-read and well-traveled man, chose a blend of Baroque and Classical Eastern styles for his new home. Whatever the case, one thing is sure: Casa Sperimentales unusual design and stunning location will continue to intrigue and mystify those who come across it. The creepy thing is that on that night, the husband left open Dantes Divine Comedy on his bedside table. Horror movies have long capitalized on the strange and spooky feel that abandoned homes bring, but the truth is stranger than fiction. A few of you might recognize the name Boris Becker, because he was a professional tennis player from Germany. . Despite the Count's best efforts, his lost daughter was never found. Now, there is only the stone facade of what once was. The Count's family, and those who inherited the property from him, lived at the Villa de Vecchi until the Second World War. 0000047481 00000 n This mansion was so remote, its nearly 1,000 miles away from the capital Kinshasa. However, Steve Jobs reportedly hated that house. Designed and built between 1854 and 1857 by architect Alessandro Sidoli, Villa De Vecchi was built as the summer residence of Count Felix de Vecchi. Basically, a lot of people made fun of how small and oddly American looking it was compared to most homes owned by English nobility. 0000008206 00000 n 0000042702 00000 n It was designed by a famous architect named George Washington Smith, who made Spanish Colonial Revival style popular in California. Unfortunately, Alessandro Sidioli passed away before the building could be completed. Maltz Auctions. Extensive gardens and promenades rounded out the already picturesque surroundings, and an equally impressive staff house was built. L'edificio fu abbandonato e cadde in rovina dopo la morte di De Vecchi. Despite his desperate search, he never found her and ultimately. When the daughters grew older, they put Sunninghill Park on the market in 2006, and it sat empty. By the early 1860s the Count was seriously ill with a chronic liver disorder and spent the last months of his life between his properties in Milan and Cortenova, painting and caring for his children. 0000008789 00000 n Having trekked to the villa several times since moving to Italy,* the rare individuals Ive encountered were quiet, camera-toting, and disinclined to disturb anything; nonetheless, the blunt truth is that people have done their worst to Villa De Vecchi, and therein lies the real tragedy. These forsaken relics of another time are strangely beautiful. According to one of the many legends associated with the villa, its decay began after the count found his wife and daughter horribly murdered. USA: +1 919-249-5055 / 243 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road - Po Box 9000 Edgartown MA 02539, Great Foods of Italy: Parmigiano-Reggiano, 2023 Language Immersion Program in Puglia. Villa de Vecchi, also known as Cassa Rossa due to its original red color, is a 19th century home located in Cortenova, just east of Lake Como. Whether you believe in this kind of stuff, thats up to you! Recently one of the upper floors gave out, taking a woman with it. The house was originally built in 1925, and it was once owned by a copper mining millionaire. . He became the first ambassador to the Vatican after the Concordat of 1929. Was a May Day Attack by Pilgrims a Practice Run for a Massacre? Even the airport is now abandoned, because no one in the area was rich enough to use it. In 1994, he moved out, without ever trying to sell it. Many considered him to be a hero. Its ultimate fate has been that of a lavish wedding cake left to collapse in on itself in an isolated and indifferent terrain. But things got much worse than ghostly apparitions. It was purchased and turned into a museum before it could become dilapidated, and they established the Hegeler Carus Foundation. Not surprisingly, no one wanted to buy it. Villa De Vecchi is truly a magnificent piece of architecture, and unique example of one mans vision that surpassed typical McMansion standards. In the years following, the infamous Red House has seen its fair share of foot traffic, for better and, in my leaning opinion, for worse. Now, when you see the photos of the interior of the mansion, it has been gutted. Then in 1998, he was in a traffic accident. The property as it looked before it started to decay. traveled to the mansion, they had to drive for two days into a remote area to even find it. Credit: Atlas Obscura. At the time that he lived there, President Mobutu flew to a private airfield near the mansion so that he could travel quickly. Si trova all'interno di un parco di 130.000 metri quadrati, circondata da boschi; l'architettura della villa ispirata alla passione del conte per l'Oriente. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. . Theres no shortage of intriguing theories, from a home invasion to deliberate act of revenge against the Count, and even the (unlikely) possibility of his daughter being suspect. Villa de Vecchi, built between 1854-1857 as a summer residence for Count Felix De Vecchi, has been shrouded in tragedy since its inception. He no longer wanted to live in that holiday home, so he tried to sell it in 2007 for $18.4 million. The mansion had a massive swimming pool, zebra carpets, crystal chandeliers, and more. An allegedly haunted mansion with a tragic, tawdry past. For decades now, the historic, once opulent, building has been derelict, abandoned to total degradation. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Afterwards, it remained abandoned. However, the plans fell through. Nestled near the picturesque Lake Como in Italy lies an abandoned mansion that has gained a notorious reputation as the "House of Witches.". The unique-appearing home featured both Baroque and Classical Eastern styles, as well as modern conveniences like indoor heating pipes and a huge fountain, reported Abandoned Playgrounds. The mansion had a massive swimming pool, zebra carpets, crystal chandeliers, and more. It was built by Count Felice De Vecchi, the head of the Italian National Guard, who wanted a summer residence close to Lake Como. Built in 1929, the mansion was abandoned after the family suddenly fled, leaving behind a beautiful yet haunting structure that has attracted all kinds of theories and lore. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Taste your way through Italys northwest region of Piedmont, sampling sweets, sipping local wine, and foraging for truffles. Fans of Crowley began to flock to the home with rumors of ritualistic orgies and animal sacrifices. The property was commissioned by Count Felix De Vecchi, head of the Italian National Guard, and considered a patriotic hero for his role in the Five Days of Milan. I truly hope someone buys this gorgeous property. However, Steve Jobs reportedly hated that house. The Perelson house was beautiful, and fit into the hip Hollywood adjacent neighborhood. The tragic tale of the Count is only half the appeal; the other half resides in the blank space left behind, the unfinished sentence that is every abandoned site. *Due to the state of the house and not wanting to contribute any further to its demise, I bid my last adieu a few summers ago, with no plans to return. He got out of the car and physically assaulted the other drivers. And despite all efforts to bring about its demise, Villa De Vecchi persists. It was originally built by a man called Edward C. Hegeler, who was a zinc manufacturer and book publisher. v=Vice-Governor. Enamored of the Valsassina valley near Lake Como, he ordered the construction of the villa between 1854 and 1857 to serve as his summer residence. Count De Vecchi was the head of the Italian National Guard and a patriotic hero for his role in the Five Days of Milan, an insurrection in 1848 that led to Milan's liberation from Austrian rule. The Brazilian magazine Trip published for the first time the lost Janis Joplin topless photos in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, in the summer A cool photo collection that shows what naughty ladies looked like in the 1950s. No purchase necessary. Within a few short years of its completion the house witnessed an inexplicable string of tragedies that would forever cement its gothic legacy. Nevertheless, the Count and his family made Villa De Vecchi their home during the spring and summer months, and by most accounts lead an idyllicif briefexistence. But the. In December 1922 he inspired the squadre of Brandimarte to the 1922 Turin massacre (Strage di Torino) and he became known as the most important of the Piedmontese squadristi. H|{PSWo AH{oZ>1}EY*"F#!{onxE,P"tQ->:=ikg9=CfpV/qq:)GN. Humans have left their own mark on the Red House the once grand piano has now been destroyed, and the intricate frescos peek out from behind layers of graffiti. They had 6 children together, and the oldest child was the last one to stay in their house. As most urban explorers will gamely fess, we humans are fascinated by death and deterioration, the possibilities that lie within and beyond those truths. Whats more, who doesnt love a good mystery? He allowed the local town historic society to take anything they wanted, like the historic door handles, chandeliers, and pipe organ. The Child-Eating Bunyip Haunts Australias Wetlands, The Real Story Behind Northern Italy's Abandoned 'Ghost Mansion', The Abandoned 'Ghost Mansion' of Northern Italy. Since Liza had refused to pay for any more upkeep, and the new owners didnt want to get near the problem, the mansion began to fall apart. The stairs are rapidly deteriorating, and bits of ceiling regularly rain down. He had to declare bankruptcy in 2017, and lost Son Coll along with it. She eventually married a man named Paul Carus. When. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. One day, Count de Vecchi came home and discovered that someone had murdered his wife and kidnapped his daughter. In one famous trial, a 13-year old boy was sentenced to 3 years of hard labor in prison, all because he committed petty theft. He spent the rest of his life searching for his daughter. Count Felix De Vecchi was head of the Italian National Guard and a decorated hero following Milans liberation from Austrian rule in 1848. Villa de Vecchi, also known as the Red House, The Witches House or the Ghost House, is now an abandoned wreck, its once dramatic splendor given over to the ravages of time and graffiti. One night, in 1959, Dr. Harold Perelson murdered his wife, and planned to kill his three children in the middle of the night. The piano which people claim to have heard playing, despite being destroyed. And you know what? 0000001056 00000 n According to Atlas Obscura, the mansion was built between 1854 and 1857 by Count Felix De Vecchi, a war hero and the head of the Italian National Guard. In 2019, the court ordered the squatters to leave, and they were forcibly removed by police in 2020. He couldn't find his daughter anywhere and committed suicide a year later. . Today, Villa de Vecchi remains abandoned, not lived in since 1938. Some say it was a revenge attack meant for Count de Vecchi because of his support for the Unification, but no-one was ever arrested for the crime. In the 1920s, it was turned into a boys school, and it continued to have many different lives as a health facility, and military housing. Upon entering, one immediately senses eyes following them, neither welcoming nor malevolent. Nestled near the picturesque Lake Como in Italy lies an abandoned mansion that has gained a notorious reputation as the House of Witches. Villa de Vecchi, built between 1854-1857 as a summer residence for Count Felix De Vecchi, has been shrouded in tragedy since its inception. Last but far from least, please be respectful of the house and its surroundings. Victorian postmortem photos did exist, no one denies that, however, they were never taken in a standing pose using a stand. However, the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage has stated that the neighboring mountain is of medium to high risk. Between 1935 and 1936 he was national Minister of Education: as such he promoted historiography which identified the House of Savoy as the link between Imperial Rome and the Rome of Fascism, and also worked for the centralisation of the administration of the school system. Despite the owners willing to give up the property for free as long as the property is restored, works on the house have been costed at around six million euros. Its degrading story started when the count found out that his wife and daughter had been murdered. While Crowley did spend time in Italy, setting up the Abbey of Thelema in Sicily, it is not known if he did spend time at Cassa Rossa. Sadly, this wasnt all good, and the school houses many horrors. Since the owner lives in the Cayman Islands, he could care less about what happened to the historic house. Before the 1900s, child criminals were sentenced to the same punishments as adults. In his younger years, he traveled extensively around the Middle East, Egypt, and India and published a book which sold well and included drawings of his experiences. He transformed the 12 acres into a park-like setting with sculptures and walking trails. But the Jackling House in Woodside, California has a strange story. 0000020751 00000 n (A visiting friend commented on the pictured frieze above an entryway: He looks like he got caught mid-yawn and now has to hold it until we leave.). Well take you on a journey to explore four abandoned mansions worldwide, each with a unique story to tell. He ended up getting caught by an FBI agent who was posing as an agent of a drug cartel leader, and this put Monea in jail for money laundering. Disclosures Tysons life began spiraling downwards, and he began running into financial issues. Despite the property being fenced off, the house is now covered in graffiti. Its just that their say isnt as riveting and well, its the riveting stuff that sticks around. This means it has 365 rooms- one for every day of the year. Its no longer in a liveable state. I know a place like that requires an astronomical amount of money and dedication, but its hard not to wonder what might have been had a more communal attitude been put into practice. There are some major issues, like a hole in the ceiling that would need to be repaired. Biago and his family continued to live on the grounds up until WWII, after which they vacated for good. While the natural elements began their assault early on, the majority of the abandoned houses irreversible damage has been done by humans. Cesare Maria De Vecchi, 1st Conte di Val Cismon (14 November 1884 - 23 June 1959) was an Italian soldier, colonial administrator and Fascist politician. Il conte De Vecchi era il capo della Guardia Nazionale Italiana e ricordato come un eroe patriottico per il suo ruolo nelle Cinque Giornate di Milano, un'insurrezione che, nel 1848, port alla liberazione della citt dal dominio austriaco. Sunninghill Park was a country house with a massive 665 piece of land located in Berkshire, England. 0000008582 00000 n Its also a surreal thing of beauty in a world that seems hell-bent on destroying any semblance of such. One day, Count de Vecchi came home and discovered that someone had murdered his wife and kidnapped his daughter. This 24-room mansion was commissioned by Edith Wharton's aunt in 1853 and reportedly inspired the phrase "keeping up with the Joneses" based . It was owned by Prince Andrew, the Duke of York and his wife Fergie, gifted to him from his mother. Everyone knows Steve Jobs as the founder of Apple Computer. To add more fuel to the fire, a recent avalanche wiped out homes nearby, leaving Cassa Rossa untouched. . In 2003, Michael Jackson was charged with child abuse, and he was accused of using Neverland Ranch to lure in these kids. has a strange story. In 2002, large boulders came falling down the mountain during an avalanche and stopped a few meters short of the villa, thus sparing it. After a long and fruitless search, de Vecchi committed suicide, unable to cope with the loss of his family. Just east of Lake Como, nestled against the forested mountains of Cortenova, sits a house thats said to be haunted. However, they quickly decided they couldnt handle living there either, and put the house up for sale once again. Unfortunately, Monea had ulterior motives behind buying the famous mansion. At this peak net worth, Mike Tyson had $400 million. A lavish Victorian mansion wound up inheriting a gruesome reputation that would be its demise. The Abandoned Stonewall Jackson Reform School Could Become an Epic Mansion For a New Owner, Before the 1900s, child criminals were sentenced to the same punishments as adults. In 2010, a millionaire health club entrepreneur named Ron Hemelgarn bought the property for just $600,000. He became a multimillionaire at an early age, and purchased a mansion in Southington, Ohio in 1980. But the absolute horror began in 1862 when Count De Vecchi returned home to find his wife murdered and his daughter missing. This has lead to the property becoming known as Ghost Mansion and Casa Delle Streghe (The House of Witches). The Hegeler Carus Mansion is located in La Salle, Illinois. Now abandoned, the Red Houses outer walls are covered with vines, while inside, frescoes and tapestries have been damaged by humidity or vandalized. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Maybe this positive energy is why this house found a new home, while other houses with a darker past tend to stay empty for longer. Una delle tante leggende associate alla villa narra che il decadimento sia iniziato dopo che il conte trov la moglie e la figlia orribilmente uccise. The hotel was never built, and the owner wrote it off as a loss. There is even a guest cottage and a theater on the property. The President made it out alive by flying to Morocco. By the time 2017 rolled around, the new owner needed to completely renovate the entire home, since it was essentially abandoned for all those years. But shortly after he and his family moved in, De Vecchi came home one day in 1862 to find his wife brutally murdered and his daughter gone. He decided to get rid of the house, and sold it to a young couple in 2016 who decided to fix it up. The Count put out a lengthy, unsuccessful search for his daughter, before committing suicide that same year. Its backstory adds to the eerie atmosphere of the house: The architect died only a year after construction, and Count De Vecchi came home one day in 1862 only to find that his wife had been brutally murdered and his daughter had vanished. The house is still abandoned, even now. It was constructed with all the modern features of the time such as indoor plumbing, hot water pipes, a dumbwaiter, and even a large pressurized outdoor fountain, and was decorated internally with frescoes and friezes. Anyone who crosses the threshold of Villa De Vecchi would be hard-pressed not to admit, maybe even against their better judgement, that the place holds its own kind of otherworldly energy, maybe even a spirit or two. However, the situation made Jackson feel violated, so he decided to leave the property and never live in it again. Casa del Petrarca (Petrarch House Museum). Two years after the murders, the house was sold to the Enriquez family. Unfortunately the owner died before the house was completed. Tysons life began spiraling downwards, and he began running into financial issues.

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