Castello Gaudì di Grosio is a unique castle created by a man named Nicola di Cesare residing in the town of Grosio, Sondrio, Lombardy. The castle takes its name from its likeness to the famous Casa Batllò designed by Antoni Gaudì. Di Cesare started constructing his very personal castle on a rocky mountain slope of Grosio in 1981. He spent over 40 years working on this detailed project decorated with numerous mosaics, sculptures, and also fountains.
Di Cesare was a cook and a rail worker who moved to Grosio from Abruzzo in the 1970s. Then, he started to decorate the barren mountainside in front of his house as a kind of leisure time activity outside of his work. He continued developing his castle without any plan, only depending on his creative sense and self-taught architectural knowledge. Later, he was called Grosio’s Gaudi even though he was not even aware of Gaudi’s Casa Batllò.
The architect of Castello Gaudì di Grosio, Nicola di Cesare, has spent over 40 years spontaneously creating his whimsical castle. Nevertheless, the construction has not finished yet as Di Cesare aims to continue with his art as long as he lives.
The mosaic covering this whimsical structure is undoubtedly the most intriguing feature of the castle. While creating this work of art, Di Cesare mostly upcycled pieces of glass from broken bottles or carlights found near the area. Besides the mosaics, the structure comprises several paths, caves, arches, vases, and 207 steps.
