tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989163621999761004.post3725651407296284707..comments2023-09-13T13:08:45.741+02:00Comments on Abode Srl. Our official blog. Everything Italian and more. Italian Real Estate is our business.: Villa Altachiara in PortofinoAbode Srlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16433261371852045326noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989163621999761004.post-90735358809978431202011-07-31T11:42:01.637+02:002011-07-31T11:42:01.637+02:00As the biographer of Almina, 5th Countess of Carna...As the biographer of Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon, of Tutankhamun fame, may I add a few small footnotes. This large house “Alta Chiara “ was of course the Italian version of the name of the family seat in England at "Highclere,"<br /><br />Villa Altachiara was indeed a scene that sparked many events in the Carnarvon family. George Herbert, the 5th Earl’s life long frailalties, genetic and self inflicted, including the ravages of diseased skin and lungs were somewhat relieved by the Italian climate of Portofino. He often recuperated there, until his step mother, Elsie inherited the property from her husband, the 4th Earl in 1890. George never warmed to Elsie, although her letters show a strong motherly tone, even towards him in their later years. Carnarvon was ill fated and died at only 58, after the infamous mosquito bite. Elsie’s guests at Portofino were numerous and covered eminent folks from the world of politics, religion (mainly Catholic, of course) and science. Her own death at her beloved Villa of Altachiara overlooking the Mediterranean was what she would have most craved. She had just finished her day’s correspondence in bed. She had the notion of going out into enjoying the rays of the winter sun (it was 1 February) and suddenly falling back lost consciousness and did not wake up again. <br /><br />Carnarvon’s half- brother, Aubrey ( one of the two sons of Elsie and the 4th Earl ), famously declared once that “ if a man can have a second country, Italy is my second country.” Aubrey, whom Almina adored, did not reach old bones and died a few months after Carnarvon. His widow, Mary Herbert, succeeded to Villa Altachiara and the site <br />Became a veritable literary colony for poets, painters and writers, including Evelyn Waugh, Alfred Duggan, Peter Acton and Brooke Astor. <br /><br /><br />William Cross, FSA, Scot: Author of " The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon" a candid biogarphy of the 5th Countess of Carnarvon of Tutankhamun fame.William Cross FSA Scothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615810399754394254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-989163621999761004.post-75365120717656058402010-06-21T03:03:57.101+02:002010-06-21T03:03:57.101+02:00Who wrote this article and how do you know about t...Who wrote this article and how do you know about the movie made by Elizabeth Patterson?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com