Villa Bartholoni - Geneva, Switzerland - Pre-Victorian Historic Homes on Waymarking.com

«The Villa was built in 1829/30 for two brothers, Jean-François and Constant Bartholoni, on a large estate acquired from the Melly family in 1825. Its Italianate architecture and English style gardens, are a good illustration of suburban residences under the Restoration. Yet for Geneva it appears to be unique. The Bartholoni brothers, both established bankers in Paris, intended it to be a residence for holding receptions during their brief visits to Geneva.

There they would entertain a glittering and cosmopolitan society, well-versed in the arts and music. The Villa was therefore designed with this in mind. It is indeed an aristocratic jewel of a « pavillon de plaisance », sacrificing to pomp and ceremony, domestic charm and family pleasures so dear to the bourgeois heart.

The ground floor was reserved for the sumptuously – decorated reception rooms: drawingrooms and parlours, dining-room, billiard-room, readingroom and even a bathroom which, like Mme Récamier’s in Paris, could be converted into a kind of boudoir. On the first floor were the owners’ and friends’ apartments, and in the attic the servants’ quarters and other guestrooms.

Since 1964, Villa Bartholoni houses the Museum of the History of Science. Between 1984 and 1990, it was completely renovated by the architects Thierry Sauvin and René Born, thus restoring it to its original splendour.»

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The Museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, from Thursday to Monday. The Museum is closed December 25, and January 1st.

Earliest Recorded Date of Construction: 01/01/1830 Architectural Period/Style: Neoclassic Architect (if known): Félix-Emmanuel Callet Type of Building e.g. Country House, Stately Home, Manor: residence for holding receptions during their brief visits to Geneva Interesting Historical Facts or Connections: nowadays houses the Museum of the History of Science Listed Building Status (if applicable): Museum of the History of Science of Geneva Main Material of Construction: Stone Private/Public Access: Public Admission Fee (if applicable): 0.00 (listed in local currency) Opening Hours (if applicable): From: 12:00 AM To: 5:00 PM Related Website: [Web Link] Rating: Additional Dates of Construction: Not listed Landscape Designer (if known): Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   12/25/2014 Visjes visited it 08/08/2012 Isa & Den visited it

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