After the visit to villa Cusani Tittoni Traversi in Desio (see) I went to villa Panza in Varese.
The complex is very interesting and in this season its charming park is a colorful palette.

The images should be an invitation to the visit.

A bit of history:
It was built at about mid-18th century by the marquis Menafoglio as a location for parties and entertainments rather than for residence.
The formal garden was replaced in 1800 by the landscape garden.
In 1823 the villa was sold to the patrician Pompeo Litta who commissioned its extension to the architect Luigi Canonico.
Afterwards the villa passed to the Panza family.
In 1996 the owners Giuseppe and Rosa Giovanna Panza donated the property to the FAI – Fondo Ambiente Italiano, temporary saving the 2nd floor for themselves.
After the restoration the villa opened to public in 2001.

The collection of modern art:
Thanks to the count Giuseppe Panza, contemporary art lover, the villa can boast one of the most important worldwide collections.
The modern artworks perfectly match with the precious furniture (from 16th to 19th century) and the African and pre-Columbian artworks.

For more info:
villa-e-collezione-panza-bene-fai
wikipedia: Villa_Menafoglio_Litta_Panza