Parco Villa Costanza, Viganello

Following a death sentence, the count Giovanni Grillenzoni Fallappio (1796 -1868), from an ancient family of Ferrara, found exile in Viganello around 1822.

Friends with Giuseppe Mazzini (1805-1872) – a keen Carbonari who founded a new secret society called Giovine Italia-  he was accused of having taken part in the instigation of the assassination of the knight, Giulio Besini, who was placed in charge by Francis IV to discover the members of the secret societies all condemned to death. But before Besini was able to put his hands on anything concrete, he was stabbed on March 14, 1822.

In 1850, the Count Grillenzoni settled in Viganello with his wife, Caterina Bussolini, where he built Villa Costanza and its enclosing park. Confined to the area, he would spend most of his days outside in his private green surroundings. In 1854 the police broke into Villa Costanza in search of his friend Mazzini, who was not found.  Legend has it that Mazzini hie in a secret place built in the villa’s park.

External location.