Villa Aprilia or Villa Lancia is the ruins of a historic villa that belonged to Vincenzo Lancia and is still owned by the Lancia family.
Location: Alpe Selle di Baranca (1824 m above sea level) is located on an alp above Lake Baranca, where the Anzasca Valley connects with the Val d'Egua, a side valley of Valsesia.
Historical interpretation:
Costantino Gilodi, a Borgosean architect, Valsesian exponent of the Belle époque, designed his villa in 1908. The 'Villino Gilodi' had a large garden created by the construction of an embankment, a fountain, plumbing and heating systems and also terraces. The plants that Gilodi provided in the garden made the alpine garden original.
After the architect's death, the villa was purchased by the Lancia family, who renamed it "Aprilia" after the car manufacturer's famous model. After the armistice of September 8, 1943, the location around Lake Baranca became an escape route to Switzerland. The villa was used by the partisans as a support point. In April 1944, the villa suffered a fire during a fierce battle between partisans and fascists. Today the villa is a silent witness to a rich past. The villa is still owned by the Lancia family.
Ruins can be entered at your own risk.