The town of Sarnico on Lake Iseo stands out with a stunning cluster of Liberty-style villas designed by the renowned Milanese architect Giuseppe Sommaruga. Thanks to the foresight and financial support of the Faccanoni family, Sommaruga’s designs left an indelible mark on Sarnico’s architectural landscape, blending intricate Art Nouveau motifs with classical Italian villa elements.
The Vision of Giuseppe Sommaruga and the Faccanoni Family
Sommaruga’s journey in Sarnico began in 1907, initiated by the Faccanoni brothers, who had built a successful career constructing aqueducts and other public projects in Vienna. He was first commissioned to transform an old spinning mill into a Liberty villa on Via Orgnieri. This villa, designed for Pietro Faccanoni, reflects a captivating mix of Renaissance villa influences and delicate floral Liberty decorations that wrap around the building’s façade, accentuating its arches and curves. The wrought-iron fencing, crafted by celebrated blacksmith Alessandro Mazzucotelli, embodies Sommaruga’s signature Liberty style with elegant, flowing motifs. Inside, the villa’s intricate woodwork and wall furnishings, produced by master craftsman Eugenio Quarti, further highlight Sommaruga’s harmonious blend of art and architecture.
Villa Giuseppe Faccanoni: Sommaruga’s Masterpiece
Often considered Sommaruga’s finest work, Villa Giuseppe Faccanoni on Via Vittorio Veneto embodies the peak of his Art Nouveau style. The villa, surrounded by lush gardens, presents an irregular structure with terraces, bow windows, and a distinctive tower. The lakeside entrance, softened by curved stonework and accentuated with terracotta and majolica, sets a whimsical tone. Intricate stone animals and symbolic details around the structure give it an otherworldly atmosphere, inviting an almost mystical interpretation of the design. This “bachelor’s villa” appears almost ship-like in structure, a fitting nod to the close bond between Sommaruga and his patron. The wrought-iron gate, with its web-like design featuring stylized flowers and insects, captivates visitors, drawing them into the villa’s enchanting ambiance.
Villa Luigi Faccanoni (Villa Surre): A Grand Statement
Villa Luigi Faccanoni, now known as Villa Surre and located on Via Predore, builds on the grand style established in the earlier villas. Here, Sommaruga elevated his designs to an impressive scale, featuring a large “Medici” tower that commands a prime lakeside view. The villa’s design expands upon previous patterns, adding more dramatic elements that capture attention from afar. The color scheme remains understated, emphasizing shades of gold to create a dignified yet radiant effect, which complements the villa’s spacious interiors and expansive windows. This villa embodies the grandeur and vision of early 20th-century Italian architecture.
The Faccanoni Mausoleum: A Unique Liberty-Style Memorial
In addition to his residential projects, Sommaruga also contributed to Sarnico’s historical cemetery with the Faccanoni Mausoleum, a 1907 Liberty-style monument. Departing from traditional Christian imagery, the mausoleum resembles an Eastern ziggurat, adorned with sculptures and detailed carvings by Milanese artist Ambrogio Pirovano. This unique secular structure further illustrates Sommaruga’s inventive and symbolic approach, offering a serene, reflective space that stands apart from typical funerary architecture of the time.
Giuseppe Sommaruga’s Liberty art in Sarnico presents a captivating blend of natural motifs, elegant curves, and intricate ironwork, all set against the serene backdrop of Lake Iseo. These villas and the mausoleum reflect a refined architectural heritage, transporting visitors to an era when Art Nouveau flourished on the shores of Italy’s lakes.