To describe Ralph Oliver Gschwind Guanella as the "guardian" of the Palazzo Vertemate Franchi is something of an understatement. The mere fact that he has resided for years now - along with his family - within the very structure of the 16th century noble mansion entitles him to be the connoisseur par excellence. Ralph trained as string instrument maker at the school of Cremona, the home of Antonio Stradivari. It&´s an education that has clearly contributed to him becoming an authoritative observer of the magnificent decorations in wood that embellish the furnishings and splendid ceilings of the building. And that&´s precisely why being lucky enough to visit the building alongside him turns out to be a vital and hugely original experience. It is of course the last standing testimony to the ancient district of Piuro devastatingly wiped out in 1618, and Ralph delivers a plethora of anecdotes and curiosities about the events and people who succeeded each other over the centuries.
Palazzo Vertemate, with its vineyard, vegetable plots and sumptuous Italian gardens represents the finest example of Renaissance architecture in the Alpine arc. The country house of brothers Luigi and Guglielmo Vertemate, it was constructed in the early 1500&´s with a huge financial commitment. The frescoes, elaborate sculptures in wood and the elegant halls remain a precious testimony to Piuro&´s status over the centuries, before the village being destroyed overnight by an enormous landslide eradicating its very existence.
