Villa Carlotta Goes Green

Overlooking majestic Lake Como in northern Italy is Villa Carlotta, a 17th century national treasure visited by more than 200,000 persons each year. Around 70% of these visitors live outside Italy, making this an attraction with worldwide appeal. The world-class historic site is famous for its more than 70,000 square meters (or more than 17 acres) of gardens, which are among the most beautiful in Europe. In addition to its gardens, the villa has many precious artistic treasures, including some famous masterpieces by the sculptor Antonio Canova.

The villa, built at the end of the 17th century by the Milanese marquis Giorgio Clerici, was purchased in 1801 by Gian Battista Sommariva. His heirs sold the villa in 1843 to Princess Marianne of Nassau, Albert of Prussia’s wife, who gifted it to her daughter, Carlotta, thus the origin of the name Villa Carlotta. Its garden-park features a variety of plant species, stairs and terraces, and statues and fountains.

Villa Carlotta’s management has been at the forefront of recognizing the importance of keeping the pristine condition of its environment. In September, Villa Carlotta’s management group signed an agreement with GreenGear Global Ltd., an English subsidiary of the Cavagna Group (Brescia, Italy) for its GreenGear propane outdoor equipment to care for the gardens at the villa. Using the propane-fueled products, Villa Carlotta is carrying out yet another concrete initiative in favor of its surrounding environment.

The team came to this decision because propane is widely known as an environmentally friendly fuel, being the best alternative to traditional (and polluting) gasoline. This outdoor equipment fits perfectly with the site’s environmental commitment.

The full range of GreenGear products will be available to the Villa Carlotta gardeners during the agreement. However, for the first six months they will mainly use self-propelled mowers (model P22-in.), ride-on mowers (model zero-turn 46-in. and 20-hp), power wheelbarrows, mini-transporters, and water pumps. Tillers and bio shredders will be used according to specific needs. GreenGear 3-kw and 7-kw power generators running on propane will also be used.

During the event dedicated to announcing this partnership, the managers of Villa Carlotta pointed out the importance of this collaboration and the meaning of this agreement. Maria Vittoria Bianchini, president of Ente Villa Carlotta, declared that “Villa Carlotta has always been committed to promoting technological innovation in fuel systems and in the management of our green spaces, while still remaining faithful to tradition. I am glad that this partnership is able to support the Villa’s evolution; in fact, it brings our operational management in line with the highest environmental standards, while at the same time allowing us to save money by using propane.”

The Cavagna Group was also very pleased with such a prestigious partnership. Davide Cavagna, CEO of the Cavagna Group, commented, “It is truly an honor to link the GreenGear brand name with that of Villa Carlotta.”

Moreover, Villa Carlotta has also decided to adopt Cavagna’s propane technology in order to transform the heating system of its museum and greenhouses, which will now use propane fuel. Today, the greenhouses are heated through a diesel system that is old, expensive, and polluting. Also, many man hours are spent on the daily refilling and maintenance. The heating devices are not capable of assuring a balanced heating in all the greenhouses since the heaters are concentrated near the entry points. The new system will be based on 1650- and 5000-liter propane tanks with new and appropriate boilers and burners and new specific greenhouse heaters that are distributed in several well-selected places within the greenhouses.

The museum situated within Villa Carlotta is under the control of the Italian Ministry of Culture, thus no major work can be done on the dwelling. The solution to its updated heating needs will be carried out using propane. Heaters using 5-kg cylinders coupled with forced air portable heaters and 10-kg cylinders will allow the museum to be opened during the winter for events and concerts during the seasonal closing of the gardens.

This strategy is based on an energy efficiency plan developed in collaboration with the Italian group Autogas Nord. “I am very proud of this partnership,” added Giorgio Basaglia, director of GreenGear Global Ltd, “because Villa Carlotta… is a model of operational excellence, which meets the highest environmental standards.”