Silvio Berlusconi's Villa May Be Transformed into a Museum for his Fans
Villa San Martino near Milan, which belonged to the late former Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi, may be transformed into a museum for his fans.
According to The Guardian, Berlusconi, who passed away at the age of 86 in June, purchased the San Martino villa in the early 1970s. It was at this location where the billionaire held secret business and political meetings, as well as some of his infamous sex parties.
The publication notes that Berlusconi's will is expected to be read next week.
A source from Berlusconi's Forza Italia party confirmed the reports that the San Martino villa in Arcore, Northern Italy, could be converted into a museum. The source added that the former prime minister's relatives are discussing this possibility.
Initially, private tours are planned for the villa, as reported by Il Messaggero, with eventual opening to the public.
As one would expect, the mansion is as impressive as anticipated. Its 70 rooms are filled with priceless works of art by renowned artists such as Rembrandt and Titian, as well as numerous portraits of Berlusconi himself.
Naturally, he also built a marble mausoleum in his garden, where his remains are now kept. There is also a vast library stocked with biographies of world leaders, including Margaret Thatcher, and a collection of gifts from world leaders, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and his friend Muammar Gaddafi.
"He did not leave any instructions, at least publicly, about who would inherit his empire after his death. However, a source close to him recently informed The Guardian that 'everyone is taken care of, including his former wives,'" the publication states.
Italian media has reported that recordings of Berlusconi's speeches will be played on the walls of the villa's rooms and corridors, and the documentary film "Il fiume della libertà" ("The River of Freedom"), made in 2013 for the 20th anniversary of Forza Italia, will be continuously screened.
Silvio Berlusconi served as Prime Minister of Italy on four occasions. He was known for his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
As previously reported by The Gaze, the former prime minister and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi passed away at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan at the age of 86.
His brother Paolo and his children Marina, Eleonora, Barbara, and Pier Silvio are currently in the hospital, where the leader of the Forza Italia party was admitted for scheduled tests related to his chronic leukemia.
Less than a month after spending 45 days in the hospital for treatment of a lung infection, including 16 days in intensive care, he returned to the Milan hospital.