PhOtOs/VIDEO-Napoleon Prison Escape +His Home For Sale
 

Napoleon Re-Enacts Escape from Elba, 200 Years on


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© Vincenzo Pinto, AFP | Napoleon's departure marks the end of 10 months of festivities on the Tuscan island of Elba


On February 28, 1814, British General Sir Neil Campbell realised with horror that his illustrious prisoner, Napoleon Bonaparte, had slipped away from the island of Elba to go and meet his Waterloo.


The exiled Emperor had in fact sneaked out two days earlier, embarking in the heady Hundred Days that would culminate in his final defeat on the muddy fields of Belgium.


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A statue of Napoleon on the island of Elba © Photo: @Italiainprima


Two centuries later, scores of history buffs in full costume are gathered on the Mediterranean island to re-enact the start of Napoleon’s great escape.

Early on Saturday, 50-year-old medic Roberto Colla, aka Napoleon Bonaparte, gathered his “Grande Armée” on the main square of Portoferraio, before leading his men past the restored British Fort and the Villa dei Mulini, the emperor’s residence during his 10-month exile.

"Napoleon" was due to attend a solemn mass and a grand gala later in the day, before setting sail on board the Pandora on Sunday, heading for the French coast.
His departure will mark the end of year-long festivities that have brought more than 20,000 visitors to the Italian island.

By Monday, the focus will have moved on to the French seaside town of Golfe-Juan, where another Napoleon lookalike will lead his loyal followers in a reconstruction of the emperor’s triumphant return to home soil two hundred years ago.

Huge Re-Enactment Marks 200th Anniversary of Napoleon's Exile on Elba, Italy




RELATED

A Home Fit for an Emperor: 74-Room Mansion Used by Napoleon Goes Up For Sale for Same Price as a Two-Bedroom Flat in London

• Villa La Voglina in Piedmont, Italy, was built in 18th century by world-renowned Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra
• Historic property set in 60 acres and boasts 13 bedrooms, nine bathrooms and private chapel for up to 30 people
• On sale for £3.8m with Beauchamp Estates - which also has two-bed flat on market at similar price in Belgravia
• Napoleon used Villa La Voglina as his headquarters for Battle of Marengo between French and Austrians in 1800

Daily Mail UK, 3 March 2015

A 74-room mansion used by Napoleon Bonaparte as his headquarters during a famous battle has been put up for sale.
Villa La Voglina in Piedmont, Italy, was built in the 18th century by the world-renowned Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra.


The historic property is set in 60 acres and boasts 13 bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a private chapel with seating for 30 people.
It is on the market at £3.8million with Beauchamp Estates, which also has a two-bedroom flat for sale at a similar price in London’s Belgravia.

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Beautiful property: Villa La Voglina in Piedmont, Italy, was built in the 18th Century by the world renowned Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra


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Stunning interior: The property is set in 60 acres and boasts 13 bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a private chapel with seating for 30 people


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Fine dining: Some 215 years ago, the French emperor Napoloeon used Villa La Voglina as his headquarters for the Battle of Marengo


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One of more than a dozen bedrooms: The property also has two dining rooms, two kitchens, ten reception rooms and a guest house


Some 215 years ago, the French emperor used Villa La Voglina as his headquarters for the Battle of Marengo.
The fighting between the French and Austrians took place near the city of Alessandria in Piemonte on 14 June, 1800.

Napoleon’s French forces overcame General Michael von Melas’s surprise attack near the end of the day, driving the Austrians out of Italy.

As a 'thank you' to the French ancestors of the current owner, Napoleon ordered the captured Austrian troops to build the current terrace.


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In the shade: The property in in Piedmont, Italy, has beautiful formal gardens and terraces along with a vineyard


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Hallway and private chapel: The owners have now put the villa and its grounds on the market with London's Mayfair estate agents Beauchamp Estates


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Praise: Villa La Voglina is said by estate agents to be 'a wonderful classic Italian Baroque villa, architecturally and historically significant'

Quote:

BATTLE OF MARENGO: A MAJOR MILITARY VICTORY FOR NAPOLEON The Battle of Marengo was one of Napoleon’s greatest military victories. The Frenchman was at the height of his military powers, and drove Austrian forces out of Italy. It was fought on the Marengo Plain - about three miles from Alessandria - between 28,000 French troops and 31,000 Austrians led by General Michael Friedrich von Melas. It brought about the French occupation of the Lombardy region up to the Mincio River. At first, the Austrians attacked at Alessandria while the French were separated - leading General Melas to believe he had won. But after the French were pushed back, Napoleon gathered his extra troops from Turin - and forced the Austrians into a retreat.

They also laid traditional Habsburg black and white diagonal tiles in all three entrance halls and created three black and white marble staircases.
The property also has two dining rooms, two kitchens, ten reception rooms and a guest house.

There are beautiful formal gardens and terraces along with a vineyard which, if restored, could produce around 100,000 bottles of wine per year.
The owners have now put the villa and its grounds on the market with Beauchamp Estates.

Gary Hersham, of Beauchamp Estates, said:

‘Villa La Voglina is a wonderful classic Italian Baroque villa, architecturally and historically significant as an example of Juvarra’s work and of a stature that does not often come to the market.
‘With a sizeable parcel of land, it would make a truly stunning and tranquil private retreat.

‘Located as it is in one of Italy’s most celebrated culinary and wine producing regions, reinstatement of the vineyards would be in-keeping with the region and the property’s history, in addition to assisting with the running of the estate.
‘The region attracts a great many visitors, both domestic and international, many of who are drawn to the area for its culinary and viticulture reputation.
‘This ever increasing appeal means that the property will also be of interest to those wishing to develop commercial activity, both small independent operators and those of scale.’


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Luxury dwelling: The estate agents say the property and its grounds 'would make a truly stunning and tranquil private retreat'


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Out and in: Captured Austrian troops created three black and white marble staircases (right), which grace the central property today


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Taking a look: The 74-room mansion used by Napoleon Bonaparte as his headquarters during the famous battle has been put up for sale


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French emperor: Napoleon Bonaparte as pictured in the 1864 painting Campagne de France (1814), by Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier


Lynne Davie, of Beauchamp Estates Florence, added:

‘We are excited to be marketing such a wonderful estate and magnificent villa.
‘Villa La Voglina is so ideally located, benefiting from the beautiful Piemonte region while at the same time affording excellent communication links, across Europe and internationally.’

The flat marketed by Beauchamp at a similar price in Belgravia – that of £3.6million - is billed as a being ‘luxurious and stylish apartment’, with one bedroom and one master bedroom.
The home on exclusive Eaton Square is ‘newly refurbished with interiors finished to a very high standard’.

Take a Look Around the 74-Room Mansion Used by Napoleon