Villa Clivio is a historic estate located in the village of Mompantero in Italy’s Susa Valley. This 6th-century structure embodies a unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and a commitment to sustainable restoration. Originally a noble residence, Villa Clivio has undergone expansions across the centuries, which have added layers of architectural and historical significance to the property.

Surrounded by lush landscapes and a thriving ecosystem of native plant life, Villa Clivio offers a peaceful retreat while honoring its historical roots. Recently, the estate has focused on eco-conscious renewal, reviving both its structural and environmental elements.

Villa Clivio now serves as an inspiring venue for the Vertygo Residency Program, providing artists with spaces to explore, create, and connect with the area’s heritage. Through this unique blend of history, art, and sustainability, Villa Clivio offers an unparalleled environment for creative exploration and cultural exchange, inviting artists to immerse themselves in Italy’s rich past while shaping its future cultural landscape.

Mompantero is a quaint village located in Italy’s Susa Valley, renowned for its unique combination of natural beauty and historical importance. Situated in the Piedmont region, near the French border, Mompantero is surrounded by the majestic Alps and serves as a gateway between Italy and France. This distinctive position has shaped the village’s identity over centuries, with Italian and French influences blending to create a rich, multicultural heritage.

At the top of Mompantero village lies a well-preserved ruin of a Roman aqueduct, a testament to the area’s ancient heritage. The valley has long been a vital route through the Alps, crossed by historical figures such as Hannibal and, later, Napoleon. The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route that links Canterbury to Rome, also passes through the region, adding spiritual and historical depth to the landscape. Visitors today can still walk parts of this route, with markers and remnants from its past journeying across the valley.

Villa Clivio’s eco-retreat embodies a commitment to sustainability and mindful living, focusing on simplicity and respect for the natural environment. The retreat has been carefully restored with a "frugal" approach, emphasising the use of local materials, minimal environmental impact, and thoughtful resource management. This philosophy extends to the estate’s gardens, which feature native plant species that thrive naturally, fostering biodiversity and reducing the need for intensive maintenance.

The frugality of the retreat is not merely about limiting resources but about creating a space where artists and guests can disconnect from excess and reconnect with nature and heritage. Rooms and communal areas are furnished simply yet elegantly, with a focus on comfort and utility rather than luxury. Solar power and energy-efficient practices are integrated wherever possible, reinforcing the retreat's low-impact ethos.

This careful balance of simplicity and sustainability allows Villa Clivio to offer an experience that feels both restorative and aligned with contemporary environmental values, encouraging guests to embrace a slower pace and a more intentional, harmonious connection with their surroundings.

Villa Clivio has fully integrated sustainable practices into its operations. The estate adopts biodynamic cultivation methods, emphasising a holistic approach to agriculture that includes the use of natural composts and preparations to enhance soil vitality and biodiversity. This approach extends to the vineyard's interconnected ecosystem, aligning with celestial cycles and promoting a balanced growth environment for its vines.

Complementing its eco-friendly produce cultivation, Villa Clivio's culinary practices focus on local and sustainable sourcing. The estate's pantry prioritises locally-sourced ingredients and engages in the spontaneous gathering of wild herbs on-site, reducing the need for transported goods and supporting the local economy. Additionally, the installation of solar panels and the use of energy-efficient technologies help minimize the estate's overall energy consumption, further solidifying Villa Clivio's commitment to sustainability.

Villa Clivio is a proud supporter of arts and culture.

In the past it hosted the village’s most notorious event “fora l’ours“ in collaboration with the local community. This is particulrly important because our commitment to supporting the ancient traditions of Mompantero. Moreover, Villa Clivio held multiple music and dancing events where local musicians were invited to perform as well as having creative professionals create light spectacles on the facade during such events.

Also, both the agricultural activities as well as the in house food preparations take into consideration traditional cultivation and gathering techniques that have been integral part of the local community’s customs from ancient times. This practices have been recently turned into organised workshops that invite the public to partake in a few days of learning and cooking.

The Vertygo Residency Program at Villa Clivio is a frugal eco-retreat set within a historic venue in Italy’s Susa Valley, offering artists a deeply immersive and sustainable environment. Artists live and work in a carefully restored 6th-century estate, with access to minimalist, thoughtfully equipped studios that support focused, resource-conscious creation.

The program encourages a high level of involvement in the artistic process, with mentors and local experts engaging closely with artists as they develop their projects. Through curated interactions with local artisans and hands-on cultural activities, artists explore the region’s heritage while integrating sustainable practices into their work. This residency fosters a meaningful blend of historical connection, environmental responsibility, and creative depth.