La Traversata Muggesana - La Villa del Principe

As we continue our walk along the TRAVERSATA MUGGESANA trail, we enter the former estates of Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Habsburg-Lorraine. On our left, just before crossing the "Strada per Chiampore," we come across his residence, the Villa del Principe. This villa was designed as a peaceful and secluded retreat, surrounded by gardens and overlooking the sea, where the archduke could indulge in his passion for botany and marine studies. The villa’s architecture reflects the aristocratic taste of the time, with a blend of neoclassical and romantic influences that were popular in the 19th century. The interiors were adorned with artifacts collected during his travels.

At the edge of the villa’s park, we follow a grassy path to the left, leading us through olive groves. After a small clearing, we descend a retaining wall, cross the Strada per Chiampore, and finally enter the lush vegetation. From here, we leave the paved road behind and immerse ourselves in nature.

Tip: If you’d rather avoid "jumping" down from the wall, you can skip crossing the olive grove and instead continue down the paved road. At the intersection with Strada per Chiampore, turn right and walk down for a few dozen meters until you reach the sign for the "EX RISTORANTE ALL'ARCIDUCA". Take the path on your left and rejoin the TRAVERSATA MUGGESANA trail at the forest entrance.