Description
VILLA ANNA is one of the richest and largest residences in Bari. Its history begins in 1893, the year in which it was built by a well-known Bari merchant. The house, which came under the ownership of a well-known entrepreneur from Bari, was purchased in 1936 by Lucia Battista who gave it her baptismal name of "Villa Lucia". The villa was subsequently sold and purchased, first in 1938 by Mr. Salvemini and two years later by Anna Magarelli, who changed its name to the still current one of “Villa Anna”. Located in the San Pasquale district, it is hidden from the eyes of passers-by by a lush and dense garden and by a wall. The welcome is a refined entrance gate, located between two tall columns topped by monumental decorative stone pine cones. Beyond the entrance you are catapulted into a real oasis of peace but above all of green. You find yourself immersed in a luxuriant park of 4500 square meters, wild but at the same time well cared for, made of imposing eucalyptus, pine and palm trees. Walking on the stone paving stones you get lost among gazebos, refined aviaries and above all dozens of statues depicting animals, apotropaic masks, impertinent children and shy girls. After the great monumental fountain, here is the glorious villa. It appears with its delicate Pompeian pink that combines with the white of the ornaments and the green of the shutters. Designed in an "eclectic Apulian" style, it combines the neoclassical symmetry of the tripartite facade with the decorativism of liberty. There is no lack of neo-medieval hints, such as the battlements under the balustrades. Arranged on three levels, it exhibits a ground floor in ashlar characterized by a central volume protruding between the two side stairs, decorated with circular motifs. The steps of the two stairs lead to the terrace surrounded by a stone balustrade, the three French windows directly access the main floor. The upper level is characterized above all by the pilasters, the double pilasters and the richness of the friezes, with the shapes of swans, flowers and leaves. In the center dominates a shell that bears the imprinted initials carved on a sort of shield. Finally, the building ends with a semicircular tympanum: it has a floral motif, the year of construction and the inscription of the old name of the building, “Villa Lucia”. At the top, a nice little statue peeps out: a putto who gazes in delight at the immense garden, the real beating heart of this residence. Entering the villa from the ground floor, through an arched door protected by a green shutter, you go down a few steps: and here we are in the living area consisting of a welcoming dining room characterized by a lowered cross vault. The walls, painted in a pale ocher color, are embellished with frescoes depicting lively baskets and festoons of fruit that are repeated along the entire perimeter of the room. On the ground, you can admire the perfectly preserved ancient floor: it reproduces various multicolored geometric shapes. On the left there are two doors, one gives access to the large kitchen, the other leads via a staircase to the cellar in the basement. To the right there are two other study rooms which also have two independent entrances from the outside. The upper noble floor is accessed through a liberty glass window and the staircase. The first room you enter is the wonderful main hall, dominated by a high vault decorated with various ornamental motifs. The geometric lines and the various figures surround the remarkable central panel "en plein air", typical of the music halls of historic villas: it depicts a classical style scene painted by Domenico Battisti in 1901. The other rooms are bedrooms with overlooking the terrace, each with its own bathroom. Going back up the staircase you arrive at the second level which expands the sleeping area. This last floor has other bedrooms and other services. The large residence ends with an attic and a terrace overlooking the garden. On the property there are two large deposits that serve as covered parking spaces, once they were stables for horses. Two commercial premises complete the property. Located respectively on the right and on the left of the entrance gate, they are both rented with a regular commercial lease and have an excellent income. We do not provide interior photos for privacy reasons. If there is a real interest, a first appointment at our offices and a subsequent one at the residence can be agreed with the consultant. We thank the editorial staff of Barinedita for the research done on the dwelling and the precious help provided.
