VILLA VERDI

Just a few kilometers from Busseto, in the hamlet of Sant’Agata in Villanova sull’Arda, lies Villa Verdi: not merely a residence, but the private world where the composer lived for over fifty years. Purchased in 1848 as a home for his parents, it soon became Giuseppe Verdi’s beloved retreat. He moved there in 1851 with his life partner, the celebrated soprano Giuseppina Strepponi.

Here, Verdi found the industrious peace he so deeply cherished. In a letter, he wrote: “This profound quiet becomes ever more dear to me. It is impossible… that I might find anywhere else where I can live with greater freedom”. At Sant’Agata, he composed, welcomed distinguished guests, and passionately devoted himself to agriculture, personally overseeing the estate and maintaining close ties with the farmers.

The architectural project of the villa bears Verdi’s own imprint: he designed the sketches himself and selected the materials and layout. The original farmhouse was transformed into a refined and harmonious residence, perfectly aligned with both the aesthetic canons of the time and his introspective spirit. Completing the property is a romantic park of over six hectares, enriched with exotic plants like banana trees, ginkgo biloba, and magnolias, alongside scenic paths, statues, an icehouse, and the striking Plane Tree Avenue, which Verdi would walk to inspect his farmland. His loyal dog Loulou also rests here, remembered with a stone inscribed: “In Memory of a True Friend”.

The Villa’s rooms, impeccably preserved by the Carrara Verdi family, reveal the true daily life of the Maestro. Visitors can also explore the private chapel, wine cellar, stables, and original carriages. Among the most touching spaces are Giuseppina Strepponi’s bedroom, where she passed away in 1897, and Verdi’s own, with his writing desk, piano, and the terracotta bust by Vincenzo Gemito capturing his proud, contemplative gaze.

In the “Studiolo”, one can find original scores, personal letters, and historical documents, including his appointment as Senator of the Kingdom and letters from Cavour. Particularly moving is the reconstruction of room n° 105 of the Grand Hotel et de Milan, where Verdi passed away in 1901: the original furnishings, intimate objects, and poignant mementos such as the cast of his hand and the nightshirt he wore in his final moments. Visiting Villa Verdi means stepping into a place where art, nature, and memory coexist in perfect harmony, offering an authentic glimpse into the most human and personal side of one of the greatest composers of all time.