Villa Recinto

Ms Anna Filippini Poma, mother of the martyr Carlo Poma, inherited an estate known as the Recinto. The Poma family loved the countryside and soon made friends with the villagers so Anna Poma decided to build a villa on her land. The whole family visited regularly to oversee the farm work and, above all, enjoy moments of tranquillity in the quiet countryside.

The young Carlo Poma spent many summers here, even after going to study at Pavia university. After his death, his mother began to spend longer periods in her ‘Recinto’ and the local inhabitants saw less of her. She led a secluded life, shrouded in sorrow.

Carlo’s nephew Arturo also remained closely attached to Villa Poma, cherished for his childhood memories, the loved ones buried there and because, in honour of the Belfiore Martyr, he took his surname in 1868. On his death in 1892, the ‘Recinto’ was bequeathed to the town of Poma as a token of his unfailing gratitude, specifying that it was to become a kindergarten, which is still open.

The plaque on the facade reads: "This house saw the joyful childhood and fervent, studious youth of the martyr Carlo Poma; his nephew Arthur bequeathed it with the adjacent land to become a kindergarten for the poor children of this town."