Villa Gandini - A journey among villas and castles

Villa Gandini, a splendid example of Neoclassical architecture, was designed by Francesco Vandelli (1795–1856) for a noble family connected to the Austro-Este court of Modena. It is located just a few steps from the historic center of Formigine.

Set within the more than 10 hectares of the Parco della Resistenza, which includes the historic park designed in the 19th century by Count Luigi Alberto Gandini—featuring three small lakes and two monumental Ginkgo Biloba trees—Villa Gandini is adorned with works by major 19th-century Modenese artists.These include bas-reliefs by Luigi Mainoni, paintings by Luigi Manzini and Domenico Baroni, and a dining room decorated by Andrea Becchi.

The villa has hosted distinguished guests such as Francesco V of Austria-Este, the future King Umberto I of Savoy, and the Duke of Pistoia, Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy-Genoa.

After the Gandini family, the villa passed to the Aggazzotti-Cavazza family, and was later acquired by the Municipality of Formigine. Today, it houses the “Daria Bertolani Marchetti” Public Library.