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This villa got its name from the famous clown Grock (Swiss artist Charles Adrien Wettach, 1880-1959), who bought it in the first half of the XX century. It’s actually an Art Nouveau building, remodeled Grock’s acquaintances like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalì, and Antoni Gaudì. It is particularly renowned for its exquisite interiors, and for the layout of the garden.
The villa dominates the hill of Oneglia and is particularly evocative of circus atmospheres; street lamps, balustrades, different heights, frescoes, engravings, and other decorations were prominently inspired by Grock’s occupation, hence the birth of a new “eclectic oriental” style.

THE PARK

The surrounding large park retains the typical heritage of many historical gardens of the Riviera, including the original design suggested by its owner.
It is crossed by several paths that lead to kiosks, pergolas, and service buildings, whose architectural parts are made with spindle columns, spectacularly shaped arches, absolutely unique decorations, and then fountains and a pond, with an orientally-inspired bridge: a highly evocative and fairytale-like setting.

It was Grock himself who led the original project by Armando Brignole; the villa was to be brought to life as a sort of self-portrait of the owner, an expression of an extraordinary, playful and creative personality.

The careful restoration of the building, completed in 2006, and the recovery of the garden – including its flora and its structures – allows visitors to enjoy the very same great passion for plants of Adrien Wettach.

Acquired by the Province of Imperia in 2002, the villa was opened for the first time to the public on January 17, 2010, as a museum dedicated to that famous circus performer.
The rooms were set up and themed about circus professionals and the art of the clowns.
The complete recovery of the noble floors, strictly following their original features, once again reveals the splendor and the most refined richness of this villa.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)