9. Casa Verda

The dwelling displays on its façade two pointed arches and an open loggia surmounted by arches.

History

The fresco, centrally placed on the façade and sadly illegible these days, represents the coat of arms of the Sanseverino d’Aragona family.

At the time of the Visconti and Sforza domination, the Sanseverino family owned feuds in the Lugano area and in adjacent lands. Roberto Sanseverino d’Aragona (1417-1487), a valiant condottiero of the Duchy of Milan Army and of the Venetian Republic, was the feudal lord for the whole of Sottoceneri from 1479 to 1484, during which time his coat of arm was painted on the wall of Casa Verda. The Sanseverino coat of arms seizes elements also belonging to the Houses of Visconti and Sforza, the dukes of Milan. Centrally-placed is a shield surmounted by a helm from which a young girl emerges while gesturing towards an eight-pointed star. To its sides, in the frame, the insets host three intertwined rings and large waves. Above, in the frame: the Sanseverino family shield, the Sforza coat of arms (two eagles and two snakes surmounted by a crown) and the Visconti family coat of arms (a snake swallowing an unruly man seeking help) Between the coat of arms the inscription IO(hannes) G(alea)Z, D(u)X M(edio)L(an)I, SE(x)STUS is found.