About the villa and us

Villa Serendipità looks back on a rich and eventful history. It was built in the first half of the 20th century by Bruno Gatta (1904–1976), founder of the Italian lighting company Stilnovo, internationally renowned for its design classics. The exact year of construction is not known, but it is documented that the surrounding wall of the property, built later, was consecrated in 1955 by Monsignore Giovanni Fava (1884–1975), the parish priest of Gardone Riviera at the time – which explains the small Madonna image embedded in the wall.

According to local accounts, the poet Gabriele d’Annunzio (1863–1938), whose famous estate Vittoriale degli Italiani is only a short walk away, is said to have visited the villa – to enjoy a cup of coffee with the then owner.

We are a German-American family and acquired the villa from the descendants of its original builder. Since then, we have devoted ourselves with great dedication to its care and renewal. Every year we renovate a part of the villa, always with the goal of preserving its historic character while creating a place of comfort and well-being – both for ourselves and for our guests, who appreciate the unique charm of the property.

A small detail connects past and present: in today’s study, lamps from Stilnovo are installed – a direct link to the founder and a distinctive touch that gives the room its very own atmosphere.