In 1965 our father spent his holidays on Elba with a friend, who lived in Capoliveri, and swam in the clear water of Morcone beach. The idea was born, it became a dream and it grew up… the dream became true:
it will be called Villa Europa.
In the following rows you will find some photos of Villa Europa in years ’60 in front of the same view photographed now, 50 years later.
WE ARE “OLD-FASHIONED” – AND PROUD OF IT
Villa Europa was built in 1965 based on a design by the Austrian architect Raimund von Doblhoff (1914–1993).
After choosing the south-west exposure in order to fully enjoy the sunlight, the architect, following our father’s wishes, took care of every construction detail and of the interior furnishings of the villa, designing them personally and exclusively: Douglas wood shutters, coloured wall tiles, and whisky chairs and small tables. The furniture was made according to his designs by a carpentry workshop in the province of Verona specializing in artistic furniture.
Maintaining shutters that are over 50 years old or what some superficially define as “old furniture” requires special care, and it is a deliberate choice not to replace them with cheap modern chipboard furniture. The real challenge is to preserve one’s own history while adapting it to the present day rather than erasing it. With these photos we would like to share that history with you.
We thank our guests who understand, appreciate and share this choice.
Some guests of us, painters and poets, remembered Villa Europa and the island of Elba in this way:
At last we publish a poetry of Antonio Cecu Ferrari, from the book "Polenta e luna" by Limina editore:
L’isula
L’aria frésca
la me léca
la fascia südada
e la me ‘ndrissa
i péi di brassi.
La lüna
bèla tüta
la s-ciariss,
sensa ufénd,
el vèrd
de la muntagna
e lingèra cume
un’avia
la palpa
el mar che’l dorm.
L’Elba:
un fassulét
ricamad a man,
per Cècu un paradis.
L’isola
L’aria fresca
mi accarezza
la faccia sudata
e mi drizza
i peli delle braccia.
La luna
bella tutta
rischiara
senza offendere
il verde
della montagna,
e leggera come
un’ape
palpa
il mare che dorme.
L’Elba:
un fazzoletto
ricamato a mano,
per Cècu un paradiso.