Villa Ferretti

by Rosa Sessa

Villa Ferretti, the current home of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Digital Humanities at the University of Naples Federico II, is a building that tells many stories not only related to its own structure and the surrounding park but also to the various realities that characterize the territory in which it stands. From its 19th-century origins linked to the mercantile and shipbuilding vocations of the Gulf of Pozzuoli and Naples, to a dark period of degradation under the control of local criminal organizations, the villa is now a shining example of social, political, and cultural redemption. Its current purposes are all focused on public enjoyment of the park and scientific research and experimentation, including innovative and cutting-edge underwater archaeology, a discipline dedicated to understanding and preserving the incredible submerged heritage of ancient Baia.

Villa Ferretti's location could not be more scenic: the structure nestles along the coastline at the border of the protected marine area (the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia established in 2002), surrounded by a 1.5-hectare garden on the slopes of the promontory where the Aragonese Castle stands (late 15th century). Archaeological remains in opus reticulatum of an imperial-era patrician domus, possibly belonging to the Roman politician and military officer Cornelio Dolabella, can be seen both inside the villa and amid the park's vegetation.

The architecture of Villa Ferretti has late 19th-century origins. Analysis of historical photographs reveals the presence of a prior rural structure, most likely a humble fisherman's house with the characteristic goose-neck staircase on the facade. This structure was replaced at the turn of the century with a much more opulent and elegant summer residence with a park and private beach for the Ferretti family, who were internationally renowned shipowners of Genoese origin, and owners of various properties and assets in Baia, from shipyards to residences, including the so-called Tempio di Venere, an octagonal thermal hall overlooking the village's harbour.

The building of Villa Ferretti was constructed using local yellow tuff on two levels: one at sea level and the other at the park level. A windowed, resembling a turret, provides access to the rooftop terrace. The red Pompeian facades features white neoclassical architectural elements, such as pilasters, cornices, and the two vaulted loggias on the ground floor. Additional levels were added to the main structure over the course of the 20th century, bringing the total floor space to approximately 150 square meters per level, without altering the character of a loisir villa that opens on to the panoramic view of the Phlegraean Gulf, with two large arched openings just steps away from the sea.

In 1977, Luisa Ferretti, the family heiress, sold the property to Antonio Barbato, who left it in a state of neglect and decay. The villa was later acquired in June 1990 for 223 million lire by a Camorra boss, who used it as the headquarters for the Rosario Pariante clan active in the areas of Bacoli, Monte di Procida, and Scampia. The property was finally seized in 1995 by the Anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office and confiscated by the state two years later, which transferred it to the Municipality of Bacoli on October 24, 2003. In the handover note from the State Property Agency, the building and its adjoining park were designated for «socio-cultural purposes», including a «library, a multifunctional cultural centre with a focus on musical and artistic exhibitions, conference and/or congress halls, underwater archaeological activities in connection with the soon the be opened Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia».

In 2016, the beach and garden, which had been used for illegal parking for years, were transformed into a public park for hosting events and cultural activities. To this end, a circular stage and cavea were built in a panoramic position, with the terraces set against the natural slope of the hill, facing north towards the sea.

Following the allocation of regional and European funding for recovery and restoration work, as well as significant delays, neglect, and theft, in March 2022, the Mayor of Bacoli, Josi Gerardo Della Ragione, signed a memorandum of understanding with Rector Matteo Lorito, in which the Municipality granted Villa Ferretti to the University of Naples Federico II, free of charge, for a period of 99 years. Academic activities were inaugurated in the same year.

Villa Ferretti's park is now at the centre of a passionate future looking project: the administration of Mayor Della Ragione and Deputy Mayor Illiano secured funding from the PON Legality programme and the initiative of the Senate of the Republic for Communes of Excellence to continue researching the archaeological heritage in situ. In fact, the coastal stretch on which the garden stands represent an archaeological unicum of exceptional interest, crucial not only for its historical-artistic significance but also for its landscape value. The coastal segment of Villa Ferretti is a unique case of submerged-emerged archaeological continuity, essential for reconstructing the environments of the Roman villa and gaining a broader understanding of ancient Baia.

The remnants of the Dolabella domus, in fact, narrate the existence of a stunning residence, terraced on multiple levels, stretching from the hillside down to the sea, offering a panoramic view of the Gulf of Pozzuoli that encompasses the silhouette of Vesuvius and extends all the way to the island of Capri. The discovery of decorative remains (including a fountain mask) hints at the refinement of structures and ornamental features yet to be excavated and studied. The project, therefore, includes excavations, consolidation work, securing, replanting, and a visitor route for the archaeological area in the park.

From the volume "Passeggiando per la Federico II" (second updated edition) edited by Alessandro Castagnaro - photographs by Roberto Fellicò - FedOAPress