Villa Clara, or Malvasia, is located at the gates of Bologna, in the fraction of Trebbo di Reno. A place full of creepy stories, often shrouded in fog. Many swear they have heard rumors and legend has it that it is Clara. Born in the early 1900s, it was the stepdaughter of the owner, who decided to wall it up alive. A deeply dramatic story. It tells of how the man, terrified by the child's clairvoyance, decided to condemn her to this atrocious death. Even today it seems one can hear his cry or even a piano that resounds between the rooms. Some local elders, however, tell a different version. According to them, she was imprisoned (not walled up alive) after her father saw her flirting with a servant. An act considered dishonorable and punished with a life locked up in a villa. She wasn't even allowed to go out into the garden. An existence without peace and still wandering around those halls today.
Legend and true story
Villa Clara is an ancient residence, immersed in the countryside, located at number 449 in via Zanardi (if anyone wants to go in person to test the legend). It belonged to the family Malvasia until the second half of the nineteenth century. It is said that the famous writer and art historian Carlo Cesare Malvasia spent the summer there (lived between 1611 and 1693).
Later there were several properties and today it is known to all as Villa Clara. However, one wonders who this name belongs to. Legend aside, from the archives it emerged that she was one of the last owners of the villa. A regular life, his, with nothing that can tie it to the dramatic history handed down. Her name was Clara Mazzetti, widow Barzaghi, who bought the villa in 1928. The story contrasts the legend, since it seems difficult to think that it could be a girl or a child, as in the grim story told. It seems that everything was artfully built, taking advantage of stories like that of Azzurrina.
The art
The legend handed down over the decades has prompted many onlookers to enter the villa in search of ghosts. This historical place was thus the stage of black masses and occult ceremonies. In recent years, however, the most important news is that a restoration project has begun. Work is underway to restore the ancient and precious paintings to their old splendor, as well as the frescoes contained in the various rooms.
Over time there have been many owners and the current ones plan to make it a center for receptions and weddings, it seems. However, there is still much to discover about Villa Clara, legend aside. In fact, we do not know the exact construction period. It is likely that it was erected between 1572 and 1585. The coat of arms of Pope Gregory XIII, present in the main room, would reveal it.
Source of the photograph: Villa Clara - https://www.instagram.com/fantasmagorialaserie/
