Stunning Renaissance Building In The Heart Of Valtellina

Nestled in the centre of Tirano, a renowned village in Valtellina, this imposing historic palace is an architectural masterpiece of inestimable artistic, cultural and commercial value. The property covers an extraordinary gross floor area of approximately 5,450 sqm spread over three levels, in addition to the cellars, offering a monumental layout comprising 80 rooms of great prestige, majestic halls entirely adorned with frescoes and over 3,460 sqm of outdoor space, including 660 sqm of open and semi-covered courtyards. Set within a centuries-old park featuring a fine Italian-style garden, this estate stands as a sumptuous, prestigious building, ideal for hosting numerous guests in settings of the utmost prestige. The property is naturally suited to elite hospitality services, lending itself magnificently to the creation of a 5-star Relais capable of attracting high-end international tourists drawn to the Bernina Express, the famous Alpine railway line recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The property is distinguished by a magnificent late 16th-century façade flanked by two symmetrical towers, at the centre of which stands a monumental Baroque portal designed by the famous architect Giacomo Barozzi, better known as ‘il Vignola’. Upon entering, an elegant Lombard portico leads into the main courtyard and a refined museum circuit comprising 10 decorated and recently restored rooms. A grand staircase leads to the superb Great Hall, whose ceiling features 18th-century frescoes of extraordinary craftsmanship attributed to the famous painter Cucchi. Among the most prestigious rooms, the “Saloncello” stands out: a richly frescoed hall that historically served as the centre of local political power in the 17th and 18th centuries, flanked by a splendid stube entirely panelled in wood dating from 1569, which bears witness to the most authentic and noble tradition of Alpine architecture.

The palace’s architecture is organised around charming, atmospheric open spaces, including the picturesque Corte dei Cavalli, the Corte della Meridiana, the Corte dei Polli and the Corte dei Carri, which offer ideal settings for private events and outdoor receptions. Directly connected to the palace’s halls stands a magnificent private Baroque chapel, built in 1612 and dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, a treasure trove of exquisite 17th-century decorations and stucco work. The main part of the palace has undergone a conservation restoration that has introduced elements of contemporary comfort whilst fully respecting the building’s historic structure. These include a centralised district heating system in the exhibition areas and the main living quarters, and a convenient internal lift serving the various floors.

In the basement, the property houses extensive medieval cellars covering 746 sqm, entirely paved in stone and fully equipped with barrels capable of holding a wine production of over 150,000 bottles. The cellars also house a rare original 16th-century ice house, over 7 metres deep.

The palace boasts a legendary historical legacy linked to the Italian Risorgimento: on 29th June 1859, at the height of the Second War of Independence, Giuseppe Garibaldi crossed the threshold of the residence at the head of the Cacciatori delle Alpi, establishing his operational headquarters here. The General stayed in one wing of the complex, planning his military strategies for controlling the Alpine passes within these frescoed rooms, a memorable event commemorated by the official inscriptions carved into the stone slabs of the monumental entrance.