Sommi Picenardi Villa

Sommi Picenardi Villa is surrounded by Cremona’s countryside and it is 25 km from Cremona. Its name derives, like the one of the municipality and of other places in the area, by the Sommi Picenardi family, an ancient and noble family in Lombardy. The most ancient center is represented by the buildings of the left part, the so called “il castelletto” with the ancient Ghibelline tower which dates probably back to the Middle Ages; in 1526 the entire property passed definitely in the hands of Antonio Maria Picenardi and his family, who maintained it till 1950. Once you have crossed the drawbridge you can enter the big courtyard of the villa, with two big towers which, together with the others at the end of the courtyard, are the only remains of the ancient defense fortress; on the two sides and in front of it there are the main constructions of the villa.
The villa Torre de’ Picenardi has always been famous for its park which was in the 19th Century one of the most famous and known all over Italy; the building was constructed thanks to the initiative of Marchesi Ottavio Luigi and Giuseppe Picenardi who, from 1772, have made one of the first and most important English gardens in Italy; some hills were created, with a big lake and some small little ponds, islands, gardens, paths, bridges, avenues, ancient roman remains and original Roman gravestones. The great lateral facade of the villa, oriented towards the square (an art-work of the 18th Century by Faustino Rodi) has at the center of the gable the symbol of the Picenardi family and all the symbols of the families connected to it, supported by two Sforza lions.