Villa Freischütz

The Villa Freischütz is a three-storey building in Meran (South Tyrol, Italy), constructed in 1909–10. Originally a private residence, since 2019, it is a private museum and a non-profit cultural institution.

It was built as a private residence by the Meran-based building firm Josef Mattmann, based on plans by the architect Christian Städler and presents a mansard hipped roof, an external staircase leading to the entrance on the first floor, two bay-window-like projections on the south side and corner quoins. The client was Ignaz Gritsch, a master butcher from Meran. In 1921, he sold the house to Franz Fromm, a wine merchant originally from the Kingdom of Hanover who was based in Meran. Following the purchase of the building, Villa Freischütz became the permanent residence in 1922 of the very wealthy Fromm family, who filled the building with works of art and cultural artefacts over the decades.

Luisa(bel), the eldest daughter of Franz Fromm, married the future Italian general Enea Navarini (1885–1977) in 1925. The villa remained in the family's possession until the death of their daughter, Rosamaria Navarini (1926–2013).