Recent events in Gargnano have reignited interest in Villa Feltrinelli, known as the “Villa of the Duce,” on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. This historic residence, requisitioned in 1943, served as the home of Benito Mussolini during the period of the Italian Social Republic. Although it was reduced to a simple private residence from November of the same year, the villa hosted Mussolini and his family until his capture in 1945. Historical documents attest that the villa not only functioned as a residence but also as an office for the Duce, where daily activities and meetings related to the regime took place.
Furthermore, after the war, part of Mussolini’s confidential archive was transferred to Gargnano, a fact that has piqued historians’ interest regarding the political secrets contained within these documents. Recent commemorations have highlighted not only Mussolini’s personal history in this emblematic location but also his impact on the collective memory associated with the events of the Italian Social Republic and the consequences of World War II in the region.
