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Malpenga is a villa located on a hill overlooking the town of Vigliano Biellese, near Biella. The current building and the surrounding garden were built in the XIX century, on an estate that had belonged to the Malpenga family since the first half of the XVI century. In 1861, it became the property of the Billia family, from Cervo Valley: they contracted the architects Petitti and Riccio, from Turin, to transform the whole building.

The main structure was thus fitted with a large terrace and a tower; in the first half of the XX century, the villa was further modified by Count Vittorio Buratti who also had the park rearranged, the chapel built, and the villa interior restored and enriched.

The park

The English park of the villa was partly designed by the Roda brothers, the authors of the gardens of the Royal House; it contains a pond, fountains and caves, several statues by Cesare Biscarra, and a rose garden.

The garden is rich in tree and shrub species, including rhododendrons and azaleas, many species typical of warmer climates, favoured by the ideal exposure of the estate.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)