4 abandoned villas in Piedmont

Piedmont preserves numerous historic villas, stately homes, and country residences that have lost their original purpose over time. Some have been abandoned for decades, while others have gradually deteriorated without losing their architectural identity.

In this article, we discover four Piedmontese villas that are still recognizable and particularly interesting for their history, architecture, and atmosphere, deliberately avoiding the ruins and buildings now reduced to a few surviving structures.

In this article:

• Villa Carpeneto at La Loggia

• Villa Imperiali Becker in Turin

• Villa Pallavicino on the Turin hills

• Villa Costantino Nigra in Castelnuovo Nigra

• Why historic villas are abandoned

• Conclusions

Villa Carpeneto at La Loggia

In La Loggia, on the plain south of Turin, stands Villa Carpeneto, a large historic residence featuring imposing Baroque and Neoclassical architecture.

The villa was built on a pre-existing medieval structure and was transformed during the 17th century by the Graneri family. Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of several aristocratic families and was used as a stately home and a place of representation.

The building is now abandoned, but it still retains numerous features that demonstrate the importance of the residence. Among the most characteristic features are the large hall with its coffered vault, the Corinthian columns, and the unique Scala della Conchiglia, a spiral staircase with a wrought-iron railing.

The villa is also protected as a national monument. However, its state of decay has become significant over the years, so much so that collapses of some parts of the building have even been documented.

Villa Carpeneto therefore perfectly represents the contrast between the monumentality of the historic residence and the progressive abandonment that has affected it over the decades.

Villa Imperiali Becker in Turin

On the Turin hill stands Villa Imperiali Becker, formerly known as Villa San Germano.

This is one of the most important historic residences in the Valsalice area. The villa dates back to the 17th century and was conceived as a residence for social life and receptions. In 1908, it underwent significant renovations designed by the engineer Pietro Fenoglio, one of the protagonists of Turin's Art Nouveau architecture.

After being in use for several decades, the villa was abandoned in the 1980s. Lack of maintenance gradually deteriorated the structure, and in recent years several fires have further damaged the building.

Despite its deterioration, the villa still retains its architectural structure and remains immersed in the large historic park that characterizes the property.

The place is also known to film buffs: in 2006, the villa was chosen by Dario Argento as the setting for some scenes in the film The Third Mother.

Villa Pallavicino on the Turin hills

Among the abandoned villas in Piedmont that are particularly interesting from a landscape point of view, we find Villa Pallavicino, located in the province of Turin.

The residence is located in a secluded spot, immersed in the greenery of the hillside. Its most distinctive feature is its relationship with the surrounding terrain: the villa appears almost embedded in the rock and dominates the landscape from its elevated position.

Unlike many other abandoned villas, Villa Pallavicino has been described as a structure still in excellent condition, despite its abandonment. Its austere architecture and secluded location have also contributed to the birth of several legends related to the building and the surrounding area.

This makes it an interesting case for Piedmontese urbex: extreme decay isn't necessarily what makes a location fascinating. Sometimes, a place's isolation, architecture, and history are enough to create a unique atmosphere.

Villa Costantino Nigra in Castelnuovo Nigra

In Castelnuovo Nigra, in the mountains of the province of Turin, lies Villa Costantino Nigra, a large historic residence linked to the figure of the Piedmontese diplomat Costantino Nigra.

The villa was built in the second half of the 19th century, likely between 1850 and 1890, in the architectural style of Piedmontese Art Nouveau. The building was erected on the site previously occupied by the remains of the ancient medieval castle of San Martino.

The house remained closed and unused for many decades, gradually becoming one of the most unique abandoned historic villas in the area.

Its location contributes significantly to the building's charm. Far from major urban centers and nestled in the valley landscape, the villa has completely different characteristics from the large, abandoned residences on the Turin hills.

Costantino Nigra's history also adds a unique element to the location: the villa is not only a historic building, but is directly linked to one of the protagonists of 19th-century Piedmontese diplomacy.

Why historic villas are abandoned

The abandonment of a historic villa can depend on various factors.

Large, stately homes often require very high maintenance costs. Roofs, facades, gardens, systems, and historic decorations can require ongoing and particularly expensive work.

Another problem is succession and changes in ownership. When a large villa passes through several generations or is acquired by different companies, it can become difficult to identify a financially sustainable restoration project.

Added to this are architectural and monumental constraints. If a villa has elements of particular historical value, any intervention must comply with specific conservation requirements, often making restoration more complex than that of a standard residential building.

The result can be progressive abandonment: initially, some areas are closed off, then the entire property loses its function and, as the years pass, the deterioration becomes increasingly evident.

Conclusions

Piedmont's abandoned villas tell a unique story of the region's history. They were built for noble families, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and prominent figures, when owning a grand residence was also a symbol of social prestige.

Villa Carpeneto, Villa Imperiali Becker, Villa Pallavicino and Villa Costantino Nigra show four different situations: from the large monumental complex now degraded to the isolated villa that still retains good architectural integrity.

Their interest in urbex therefore does not only derive from abandonment, but above all from the contrast between what they were in the past and what they have become today.

As always, it's important to remember that an abandoned villa may be private, protected, or structurally unsafe. Abandonment doesn't mean free access, and any visits must respect ownership, restrictions, and safety regulations.