Schirolli House: The Liberty Jewel Aldo Andreani's On Rio

In the beating heart of Mantova, set like a precious gem along the banks of the Rio canal, Casa Schirolli rises. Defined already in 1914 by the historian Clinio Cottafavi like an ”jewel for gourmets”, this residence represents one of highest and most celebrated examples of the Liberty and eclectic style in Lombardy.

Designed by the celebrated architect Aldo Andreani for the banker Luigi Schirolli, the property is a total work of art, today perfectly renovated and returned to its former splendor trough a meticulous conservation intervention that has preserved its historical and artistic integrity.

The architecture and the author details
The entrance of Via Corrado welcome the host with an original Andreani’s terracotta work of 1947, ”Branches of oak and cithara” set in a creation of the artist Andrea Jori. Inside, the fulcrum of the vertical connection is the Andreani Staircase: a four-ramp wooden stage structure, topped by a decorated skylight from which hangs a precious ”Ca’ Rezzonico” chandelier in vintage Murano glass. The staircase and the facade overlooking the Rio are protected by the Superintendency of Cultural Heritage.

Distribution of spaces
The residence extends like a three-story building, offering spaces of rare beauty and charm:
Ground Floor: A majestic 75 sq m open space featuring a double entrance and a balcony overlooking the Rio. The space includes a study area and private technical access to the canal.

First Floor: The main floor is dedicated to conviviality. The dining room is a meeting of eras, where contemporary art interacts with 16th- and 17th-century Gonzaga portraits (not included in the sale). The Sala Rio, with its iconic Andreani-designed bow window, offers an unparalleled view of the facade of the Church of San Francesco. A modern, fully equipped kitchen completes the floor.

Second Floor: The sleeping area consists of a master bedroom overlooking the Rio with an en-suite bathroom and a hot tub, a second bedroom with Biancone Veronese marble finishes and a third room used as a library/bedroom.

Exclusive Appurtenances
Directly opposite the main entrance, the property features a detached structure of approximately 80 square meters, including a large garage, a private internal garden, and a functional laundry/wardrobe room.

A Choral Work of Art: Details of Absolute Value
Beyond Aldo Andreani’s signature, Casa Schirolli boasts collaborations that make it a true ”Urban Museum”:

Illustrious Collaborations: The interiors are embellished with sgraffito decorations by Arrigo Andreani (a renowned painter and brother of the architect), while the refined wrought iron that decorates the facade and interiors was forged in the Venetian workshop of Umberto Bellotto, the most celebrated master of wrought iron of the time.

Noble Materials: The facade plays on precious color contrasts between the Biancone Veronese of the portal and the Serpentino Verde of the mullioned window, elements that give the home the postcard-like aesthetic it has celebrated for decades.

A Millenary Heritage: Part of the Museo Urbano Diffuso of Mantova, the house rests on cutting-edge historic foundations that have replaced the ancient medieval stilt houses with solid stone columns, ensuring a timeless and secure view of the Rio.

Purchasing Casa Schirolli means not only owning Mantova’s most iconic and photographed residence, but also becoming the custodian of a piece of Italian art history, where the legacy of the Gonzaga family meets the genius of Lombard Art Nouveau.