A History Spanning Over Nine Centuries
The Personali family, owners of the villa, has a long and rich history. They have lived in the Emilia-Romagna region since the 13th century, long before Christopher Columbus’s voyage to America.
From 1100 to 1200
In the 1100s, during the reign of Frederick Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor, the Personali family lived in Germany and participated in the Crusades.
In the same century, the “Sons of Manfredo,” from whom the Pico family descended, built a Ghibelline tower near Modena—which would later become the current Villa La Personala.
1100
The Tower – The Heart of the Villa
The oldest part of the villa is the tower, built in 1100 with Ghibelline battlements, often called “loophole windows,” which served an important function. They allowed defenders to stand tall and fearless, maintaining a protective vantage point against their enemies. This aspect of the villa’s history not only reflects the ingenuity of its era but also embodies the courage and resilience that characterized that time. Over the years, the villa has undergone extraordinary transformations, and two buildings were constructed on either side of the ancient medieval tower. Each successive generation added new elements to the villa, such as a fountain, a cellar, and gardens, but the tower has always remained the heart of the villa.
Today, visitors can take a step back in history and experience the past firsthand by booking a stay in one of the luxury suites located within the medieval tower.
From 1200 to 1300
In the mid-1200s, they crossed the Alps and settled in Northern Italy, specifically in Bedulita, in the province of Bergamo, nestled in the beautiful Imagna Valley. During their time in Bedulita, they founded the small village known as “Case di Personé,” and their noble status was elevated to “counts” by Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg, a figure mentioned in the “Paradiso” of Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy.”
From 1300 to 1400
At the end of the 1300s, the Counts of Mirandola ceded the tower and the lands to the Counts Personali. The tower was surrounded by a moat with a drawbridge, later connected to new buildings that formed the villa.
1472
The family settled in San Giacomo Roncole di Mirandola in 1472. During this period, they integrated into Modena’s high society, establishing a close relationship with the influential Pico family, after whom the Mirandola Castle is named.
1600s
The Chapel – A Place of Devotion
On the picturesque Via Personali, right next to the villa, lies a hidden treasure: the family oratory, a place of devotion dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. This charming sanctuary was built in the early 1600s by Count Francesco Personali, driven by necessity due to the considerable distance from the nearest church. Around 1860, it was renovated and blessed by Provost Giuseppe Fei. What began as a personal place of worship later became a cherished site for joyful celebrations and festive masses.
Over the centuries, the chapel has witnessed the union of many hearts, with family weddings becoming a beloved tradition. In 1973, Fabrizio and Fiorella exchanged vows within its sacred walls, and the following year, their daughter Angelica was baptized here, carrying forward the family legacy.
The 2012 earthquake temporarily rendered this small church, with its characteristic blue roof adorned with golden stars, unusable, but hope remains that one day it will rise again, testifying to the family’s resilience and faith.
1600s – 1700s
Royal Connection – Residence of Count Fabrizio Ferri Personali
Villa La Personala is the ancestral residence of Count Fabrizio Ferri Personali, a place where his noble family has lived for many generations.
Enter Prince Eugene of Savoy, a titan of his time and celebrated as one of the most skilled military commanders in history. This Italian-French field marshal, serving the formidable army of the Holy Roman Empire, stayed at Villa La Personala when he took control of the city of Mirandola in 1701.
Prince Eugene of Savoy was often considered one of Napoleon Bonaparte’s most talented relatives and was, in fact, the Emperor’s step-relative. The connection between these two extraordinary figures adds another layer of fascination to the villa’s rich history, offering a glimpse into a world where nobility and military prowess were intertwined.
1900s
Villa La Personala
The nickname “La Personala” derived from the surname of the Counts who owned the villa, and only later, around the 20th century, did they join the noble house of Ferri, hence the addition of their surname. The villa soon became a gathering place for the nobility and a landmark for the local community.
2012
From Earthquake to Rebirth
In 2012, a devastating earthquake shook the foundations of the Emilia-Romagna region, not sparing even the historic residence of the Personali family, a home beloved for generations. The destructive force of nature left much of the property in ruins, but it failed to break the family’s indomitable spirit.
Over the course of a decade, they undertook a remarkable journey of reconstruction, piece by piece. Amidst the rubble, a small but extraordinary artifact survived the earthquake: a statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a symbol passed down through generations. This enduring relic became a protector of the family and symbolized their unwavering determination to preserve their heritage.
Angelica Ferri Personali, a family member and visionary of the restoration project, wanted to transform Villa La Personala into a multipurpose center, where spaces could be used for special events, cultural gatherings, conferences, business meetings, and initiatives aimed at enriching the local community, especially in terms of tourism.
Today a Luxury Boutique Hotel
Today, Villa La Personala has been transformed into more than just a family residence; it is now a luxury boutique hotel and a destination rich in history, inviting guests from all over the world to experience the best of the region.
