Dolce&Gabbana and FAI: Discovering Villa Fogazzaro Roi

Nestled on the edge of the lake, Villa Fogazzaro Roi is a picturesque relic of a bygone era, offering a glimpse into a past world. Donated to FAI - Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (Italian National Trust) in 2009, this historic gem was beautifully enhanced by Dolce&Gabbana during Milan Design Week 2023, showcasing the brand’s artistic flair and reverence for heritage.

Journey to an ancient world of beauty and poetry

Perched on the picturesque shores of Lake Lugano, Villa Fogazzaro Roi is a splendid relic of a bygone era, where the essence of the 19th century and the legacy of the celebrated writer Antonio Fogazzaro continue to resonate. Located in the charming village of Oria, Valsolda, this exquisite villa, named after Fogazzaro, served as the inspiration for his acclaimed novel Piccolo mondo antico, published in 1896.

In a recent highlight, "Dolce&Gabbana and FAI: Discovering Villa Fogazzaro Roi," the villa’s historic allure was showcased through a collaborative project that celebrated its rich heritage. The villa’s preservation and enchanting atmosphere owe much to Marchese Giuseppe Roi, the writer’s great-grandson, who undertook a dedicated restoration project in the 1950s. Today, Villa Fogazzaro Roi stands as a true embodiment of the “Piccolo mondo antico,” featuring meticulously restored furnishings and serving as a repository for intriguing collections and travel artifacts amassed by Marchese Roi, a passionate traveler and collector.

In 2009, Giuseppe Roi generously donated Villa Fogazzaro to FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (Italian National Trust), ensuring that its timeless beauty and historical significance would be preserved and celebrated for future generations.

Time capsule: exploring Villa Fogazzaro intriguing interiors

Villa Fogazzaro Roi immerses visitors in the captivating world of late 19th-century bourgeois life, where literary charm permeates every space. From the writer’s personal study and library to the grand salon, dining room, frescoed gallery, and private dock, the villa exudes a timeless literary allure at every turn.

At the heart of Villa Fogazzaro Roi is the Salone Siberia, aptly named for its perpetually cool and unheated ambiance. The true gem of the villa, however, is Antonio Fogazzaro’s meticulously preserved study. Here, his original writing desk holds an open drawer with handwritten notes, including a poignant verse mourning his son Mariano and the completion date of Piccolo mondo antico. The dining room, set with elegant porcelain and fresh fruit, continues to reflect the villa's refined charm.

Outside, the "terrazzino delle contemplazioni filosofiche" (terrace of philosophical contemplations) provided the inspiration for the protagonist’s poetry, as Fogazzaro savored his morning coffee while reading the newspaper. The villa’s suspended garden, suffused with the enchanting fragrance of Osmanto (Olea fragrans), fills the air with its delicate scent during blooming season, creating a serene and evocative atmosphere.

A territorial partnership

Villa Fogazzaro Roi was generously donated to FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (Italian National Trust) by Giuseppe Roi in 2009, to support the preservation and enhancement of artistic, cultural, and environmental heritage. This magnificent villa was selected by Dolce&Gabbana as a venue for Milan Design Week, where the brand, renowned for its celebration of Italian craftsmanship and regional art and architecture, transformed one of the main rooms with a DG Logo print installation and bespoke furnishings.

In 2023, Dolce&Gabbana deepened its partnership with FAI, aligning with the mission to protect and promote vital values such as Italian heritage, culture, tradition, education, and beauty, thereby reaffirming its strong connection to Italian cultural roots.

During Milan Design Week, Dolce&Gabbana presented a compelling narrative through videos and imagery dedicated to FAI’s most treasured sites. The Virtual Room at their Dolce&Gabbana Casa store on Corso Venezia 7 vividly showcased this enchanting experience, highlighting Villa Fogazzaro Roi as a timeless gem of beauty and literary inspiration.