📍 Where it is located
Casa Cilichini is located in the heart of Chiuro, on via Rusca, just a short walk from largo Besta de' Gatti. A stroll through the streets of the village leads to this historic building, which, despite its sober aesthetics, holds a refined architecture and a curious history.
🏗️ A bit of history
Casa Cilichini, also known as "olim Quadrio", dates back to the Renaissance. It was originally owned by the noble Quadrio family, later passing to the Cilichini family and subsequently to private citizens and the Municipality of Chiuro. The current appearance is the result of centuries of transformations, but it still retains many of its original structures.
The building is distinguished by the monumental portal made of serizzo, with the Quadrio coat of arms clearly visible, and by the airy entrance that leads to a spacious courtyard. On the opposite side, an elegant wing opens with ground floor arches and a loggia with multiple spans on the first floor: a typical Valtellinese architectural solution.
🐾 The legend of the black cat
What makes Casa Cilichini even more fascinating is a popular legend passed down through time. It is said that, in recent times, an elderly couple – former caretakers of the Cilichini – purchased the house. However, the house seemed not to accept its new owners: one evening, a mysterious black cat appeared next to the fireplace where polenta was cooking, and with its mere presence, it extinguished the fire.
From that moment on, the cat became a constant presence, almost a guardian spirit or an ancestor returned to reclaim its place. It would bristle its fur, extinguish the flames of the fireplace, and instill fear. The elderly couple ended up serving it like nobility, convinced it was a reincarnation of a powerful wizard from the Cilichini.
Until young Paolo arrived, a thirteen-year-old nephew who, armed only with his courage, ended the nightmare with a well-aimed kick that sent the cat flying over the wall. Since then, it was never seen again.
🧭 How to get there
- 🚗 By car: Chiuro is reachable via the SS38 of Stelvio. Parking available in the town center.
- 🚌 By bus: Routes from Sondrio with stops in the center of Chiuro.
- 🚶 On foot: From the historic center, via Rusca is easily accessible.
🏡 Today
Casa Cilichini is now privately owned but visible from the outside. It represents one of the most interesting examples of Renaissance noble architecture in the context of a Valtellinese village. During cultural events or guided tours, it is possible to access the interior spaces as well.
💬 Why visit it
For those who love authentic villages, historic architecture, and local legends, Casa Cilichini is an unmissable stop. Not only for its architectural value but also for the atmosphere that can be felt, between centuries-old silences and stories that still make those who hear them smile (or shiver).
