Villa Simonetta is the latest historical and cultural gem to be renovated and returned to the city of Verbania. Subsequent to an impressive refurbishment which, after years of neglect and deterioration, has restored this elegant building, of great historical and symbolic value for the city, back to its former glory.

Villa Simonetta was built at the end of the 18th century by Giambattista Simonetta, a local wealthy merchant. The elegant U-shaped building housed the Simonetta family in the main section facing the lake, while the two side wings were used as the staff quarters. 

At a later date, a small port was built and used by the family, owners of one of the most important local shipping companies, for loading and unloading goods.

The villa owes its notoriety to Giambattista's son, Francesco who, during his studies in Pavia, came into contact with the Risorgimento circles, within which he assumed a role of a certain importance becoming colonel of Garibaldi's troops.

In June 1862, Francesco Simonetta invited an illustrious guest to his home in Intra, General Giuseppe Garibaldi, an occurrence that, more than anything else, gave Villa Simonetta a certain notoriety that resonated far and wide.

On June 5th Giuseppe Garibaldi disembarked on the landing stage at Intra, beneath a canopy decorated with tricolour flags, and was acclaimed with a musical fanfare.

Addressing the crowds from the balcony of the town hall, he gave a rousing and inspirational speech for unity and for resistance to foreign invasion.

He then visited the headquarters of the Società di Mutuo Soccorso e Istruzione fra gli Operai d’Intra (Society of Mutual Aid and Education among the Workers of Intra), where he donated his hat which is still carefully conserved by the Society as a precious keepsake.

Garibaldi remained at Villa Simonetta until June 8th, and a commemorative plaque placed on the façade of the house testifies to his historic visit.

Francesco Simonetta died of typhus in 1863, a year after the illustrious event.

Over the course of its long history, the villa passed into the hands of various owners and, in 1990, it was purchased by the Municipality of Verbania. After a certain period in which the villa was used as a secondary school by the Cobianchi Institute, it fell into inexorable decline.

As part of the PorFesr 2014-2020 Sustainable Urban Strategy project ‘Verbania, the rediscovery of beauty’ - with a total investment of 3.2 million euros (of which 2.7 million euros of European Union Funds) - the Municipality ensured that the considerate restoration and redevelopment of Villa Simonetta commenced in June 2018 and concluded in March 2021.

Villa Simonetta was, therefore, returned to the citizens of Verbania and is now widely used for art exhibitions, concerts and cultural events.

The Casa del Lago museum is housed in one of its side wings museo.