Villa Pollina, Poviglio — Historic Residence In The Emilian Countryside

Immersed in the tranquillity of the Reggio Emilia countryside and just a short distance from Parma and Reggio Emilia, Villa Pollina is a rare example of an Emilian manor villa of late Renaissance origin.
Probably built towards the end of the 16th century as the summer and hunting residence of the noble Pollini Counts, over the centuries it later passed to the Benassi Counts and subsequently to the Pallavicino Marquises, still preserving today the charm of the ancient noble residences of the Bassa Reggiana.
The building extends over several levels and retains its original rectangular architectural layout. The main façade is characterised by an elegant double superimposed loggia: on the ground floor, a sequence of arched openings, while on the piano nobile a refined loggia with paired columns and a wrought-iron railing gives the façade an image of great balance and distinction.
Inside, Villa Pollina reveals its most precious soul. The rooms are arranged according to a symmetrical and scenic distribution, typical of historic noble residences. The heart of the villa is the large and luminous through hall, enriched by decorated vaults and openings that visually connect the different rooms of the house.
From the hall, one enters the lateral rooms, many of which retain vaulted ceilings, painted decorations, terracotta floors and original architectural details. The wall paintings, attributed to Cesare Baglione or his school, include grotesques, medallions with mythological figures, landscapes and perspectival architectural quadrature, elements that give the interiors a rare and highly evocative character.
Of particular interest is also the monumental staircase, which connects the ground floor to the piano nobile and contributes to the strong theatricality of the spaces. On the intermediate level there is a small family chapel, with ornamental decorations and a wooden altar, further testimony to the historic prestige of the residence.
The piano nobile, spacious and luminous, follows the same layout as the ground floor and hosts generously proportioned rooms overlooking the surrounding landscape. The attic, of ample proportions, offers further volumes to be considered as part of a restoration project, while the rooftop belvedere adds a distinctive and panoramic architectural feature.
The internal composition develops on the ground floor into approximately 450 sqm of residential space, in addition to around 30 sqm of loggias, with a central hall, lateral rooms, service areas and connecting spaces. The first floor comprises approximately 420 sqm of residential space, in addition to around 30 sqm of loggias, with reception rooms, frescoed halls and spaces of great luminosity. The property also benefits from further accessory and residential rooms on the mezzanine floor, measuring approximately 140 sqm, and an attic of around 450 sqm, in addition to the rooftop belvedere.
The estate includes agricultural outbuildings, traces of the ancient Italian-style garden and Corte Pollina, a testimony to traditional Emilian rural architecture, with buildings arranged around an enclosed courtyard.
Villa Pollina represents a rare opportunity for those wishing to acquire a historic residence of great identity. The monumentality of its spaces, the richness of its decorative features, its internal layout and its landscape setting make it ideal as an impressive private residence.