The villa, a 17th-century residence, was previously owned by the Gnecchi family, who established themselves as spinners in the mid-18th century. Evidence of this lucrative activity that propelled the family’s prosperity remains to this day, notably the Filanda di Garlate, today named Abegg after its last Swiss owner, which currently hosts the Silk Museum. And, directly across the road from the Filanda, the residence of Giuseppe Antonio Gnecchi, now home to the Garlate Town Hall.
Throughout the 19th century, their enterprise significantly evolved and went from leasing to the purchase of spinning machines, investments in land and operations across both commercial and industrial domains. Leveraging investments made possible by the Ruscone inheritance, the company continued to grow until emerging as one of Lombardy’s and, therefore, Italy’s foremost businesses, especially in the yarn market.