HISTORY
THE VILLA AND THE HISTORY
Love for history and territory makes good bloodHISTORIC VILLA
There are places in Le Marche that have framed the history of great families of the past and that still retain that refined, genuine, authentic atmosphere that it once held. Located in San Severino Marche, Villa Teloni is an excellent example of this era. From its beginning in the eighteenth century until now, it has kept its essence intact, despite the passing of time and many historical events. There are two families in particular whose stories are linked to the rooms and the gardens of this nostalgic residence: the Coletti family, who built and lived in it for three generations, and the Teloni family, the owners since 1996.
Sandro Teloni
COLETTI FAMILY
The large rural house and the surrounding lands belonged to the Coletti family, who had called it home since the eighteenth century. During that time, a passionate conservationist named Giuseppe, who was also the mayor of San Severino Marche, designed and created the estate and ground of the villa. According to the inscription on one of the ornamental urn bases by the swimming pool, his son Francesco “restored and embellished the house and the nearby interpreting the paternal desire” sometime during the first half of the twentieth century. In the second half of the twentieth century, the property was partially sold, but the house remained in the possession of the daughter of Francesco Coletti, Countess Evelina Battibocca. There was also a small chapel located on the grounds of the estate called “Madonna SS.ma della Concezione.” While it is still standing, it has since been deconsecrated. It is built into the perimeter walls of the estate and opens up on both the inside of the property as well as onto the public road. Ancestors of the village say that the corner of the estate behind the church was a favorite spot of Francesco Coletti. He would often go there to read and continue his studies in economics, mathematics, agriculture, and social sciences.
TELONI FAMILY
In 1996, after a long period of being unoccupied, the residence was bought by the Teloni family. Sandro Teloni was committed to preserving the historical property with all of its unique characteristics and the peculiarities. During the five years it took for the renovations, they exclusively used only reclaimed materials from old structures that had been around during the Villa’s original days. But what brought Mr. Teloni, a self-employed businessman with a well- established career in commerical banking, to buy the old residence which was now in a delapitated state? Love is what prompted him to make this decision. He had been looking for a country house for his family when a friend of his suggested the then Villa Coletti. His friend proposed that they buy it together, considering the property’s expansive size. “I was fascinated as soon as I saw it,” says Mr. Teloni. “I immediately began to dream what the place could be like, you know, churning the mountains”. Mr. Teloni did not hesitate with his decision, even after his friend withdrew from the purchase. He was determined to see the renovations through to completion. It was at this point that he contacted the architect Patrizia Ravegnani, a well-established architect who had traveled and seen the world and then decided to settle in Le Marche. She was, among other things, the author of the book “Consigli e Progetti Dell’Architetto per i Rustici.” Just like Mr. Teloni, she immediately became passionate about the project as soon as she saw the property. From then on, she worked on the villa “as if it were her home.”
THE RECONSTRUCTION
THE RETURN TO THE ANCIENT SPLENDORIt just so happened that the restoration of Villa Teloni coincided with the terrible earthquake that struck Le Marche and Umbria in 1997. The area was full of ruins and demolished buildings, from farmhouses to historial homes, that had collapsed or were severely damaged due to the earthquake. Mr. Teloni personally tasked himself with purchasing the old bricks, tiles, and now unused fixtures to complete the restoration and renovation of the villa, which thanks to its solid structure, did not suffer any significant damage. The only part of the property that suffered any damage was the bell tower of the old church, which unfortunately fell. The determination of Mr. Teloni and his willingness to restore the historical property back to its former life by only utilizing reclaimed materials and fixtures, led him to cross paths with Mastro Franco. Then then seventy-year-old man personally took it upon himself to restore the broken bricks, even going so far as to go up onto the scaffolding at his distinguished age to work wonders with the brickwork.
Sandro Teloni said, “Villa Teloni is open to the public. I’m ready to face all the challenges that lie ahead, aiming at perfecting the property, by making use of new technologies without ever giving up our identity and our charming, rich history.”
Sandro Teloni
VILLA IN EXCLUSIVE USE?
When renting La Villa for exclusive use, the entire property will be available to you for the whole duration of your stay. Rooms and apartments, lounges, event hall, park, swimming pool, gym, and all other areas on La Villa will be at your complete disposal.