Villa Panza, dating back to the 18th century, is widely recognized as a center for contemporary art. Marquis Paolo Antonio Menafoglio chose the top of Biumo Hill, located in the Italian city of Varese, as the site for his country home. Fast-forward to the 1950s, Count Giuseppe Panza developed an affinity for contemporary art and began collecting works from various well-known American artists. Panza was especially keen on the concepts of light and color, therefore explaining his aesthetic interest in artists such as Robert Wilson, Wim Wender, James Turrell and Dan Flavin; in fact, the villa boasts several site-specific works by Flavin. Set in the ancient rooms of the mansion, the contemporary motifs, Renaissance furniture and African and pre-Columbian artifacts are all in conversation in this dreamy setting.