Lake Maggiore Mansions: Villa Fraggiana

Immediately in front of Villa Eden in Meina, an entrance portal with two imposing lion sculptures catches the eye, offering a view of a decorative façade. The neoclassical Villa Faraggiana was constructed in 1855 for the Senator of Novara, Alessandro Faraggiana.

Besides the castle-like villa, the construction above is particularly noteworthy. As a member of the Geographic Society, Alessandro Faraggiana participated in numerous safaris. Since the collected exhibits grew significantly in a short period, a representative Art Nouveau chalet was built at the end of the 19th century, and an ethnographic museum was founded there. Alongside hunting trophies and exhibits, Faraggiana also brought exotic animals to Italy. Within the over 7-hectare park, one of the first zoological gardens of its kind was established, which was an attraction for Villa Faraggiana's guests at the time.

The last descendants of the family transferred the property to a religious community in 1952, which operated a convalescent home there in the subsequent years. This led to structural changes, but the main elements such as the central staircase with a large stone staircase and balusters, intricate mosaic floors, ceiling frescoes, and decorative fireplaces have been preserved. Notably, there are also semicircular arches above the window axes, each featuring a bust representing an Italian personality of the 19th century.

In 2009, the municipality acquired a portion of the park with the museum building and entrusted it to the Fondazione UniversiCà, which, after the restoration of the chalet and greenhouse, now manages the Museo-Meina. It is an interactive museum focusing on "Nature, History, and New Technologies," primarily catering to families and school classes.

The future of the villa, which is in need of renovation, remains uncertain as it is not part of the museum park and is owned by a real estate company.