Esterno Parco Villa Zirio, Imperia, Liguria

Villa Zirio park

Villa Zirio, a Majestic Beauty

Villa Zirio is one of Sanremo’s most important historical buildings. The Villa was built in 1868 by the wealthy Sanremo lawyer Giovanni Battista Zirio.
The Villa is in neoclassical style and is made of white marble and Arles stone. The central façade is characterised by a large loggia accessed by two beautiful staircases. Several columns support a large terrace, giving the building a slender and imposing form.

The interior was decorated by the Genoese painter Francesco Semino, who painted a magnificent fresco depicting Benvenuto Cellini at the court of François I, King of France.
Today, Villa Zirio houses some municipal offices and the headquarters of the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra.

Zirio Park, the Charm of Nature

The Park surrounding Villa Zirio was designed by the German botanist Ludwig Winter, who – at the time – was very active on the Riviera, where he also created the Gardens of Villa Garnier and those of Villa Hanbury.

The park has retained its original layout and is distinguished by its wealth of plants. The vegetation is dominated by palm trees, including the Washingtonia Robusta and the Washingtonia filifera. There are also two enormous Ficus macrophylla trees originating from Australia, flowers and an environment covered with verdant flowerbeds.

Thanks to the beauty of the park and Villa Zirio, this enchanted place soon became an important destination for travellers and guests, including Frederick III, King of Prussia, and the German composer Richard Wagner.