South Korea rents 1930s Milan villa for Olympic hospitality house

South Korea's Olympic hospitality house is a museum

The South Korean Olympic Committee has rented the entire Villa Necchi Campiglio, a 1930s villa turned house museum in central Milan, for the duration of the Games. The committee is using the historic site as its official hospitality house, a common practice where nations host athletes, officials, and guests.

This creates a surreal juxtaposition of ancient Korean artifacts and modernist Italian architecture. Visitors can see traditional Korean instruments and calligraphy displays set against the villa's iconic floating staircase and rationalist design.

A cultural mission beyond the medals

The setup is part of a broader cultural diplomacy effort by South Korea. "For us, the Olympics is not only about sports," said Lee Ki-heung, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee. He emphasized the goal is to showcase Korean culture and history to an international audience.

The choice of venue is particularly striking. Villa Necchi, designed by Piero Portaluppi, is a landmark of Italian modernism and was featured in the 2009 film I Am Love. Its gardens and pool are now hosting Korean cultural performances.

An NPR reporter's sweet side quest

While reporting on the house, NPR's Rachel Treisman embarked on a related cultural detour to a nearby confectionery. The historic store, Pasticceria Cucchi, has been a Milanese institution since 1936.

Treisman noted the stark contrast between the two experiences. One is a state-sponsored cultural showcase in a rented monument; the other is a local business serving traditional pastries for decades. Both, however, offer a distinct slice of Milan beyond the Olympic frenzy.

Hospitality houses are Olympic tradition

Nations have long used hospitality houses during the Games to promote tourism and culture. They are not official Olympic venues but function as national bases and event spaces.

Previous notable examples include:

• Netherlands at Tokyo 2020: A fully orange, tulip-filled house promoting cycling culture.
• Norway at PyeongChang 2018: A "Sustainable House" built with reusable materials.
• Brazil at Rio 2016: A massive beach club atmosphere at the Casa Brasil.

South Korea's use of a high-design museum continues this tradition of seeking a memorable architectural footprint.

The challenge of preserving two heritages

Museum staff have expressed mixed feelings about the temporary takeover. There is pride in the international exposure but also anxiety about protecting the villa's integrity.

"We have very strict rules," a museum guide told NPR, noting that ropes now separate guests from the home's original furniture. The committee paid a substantial fee for the rental, which will fund future preservation work, but the primary concern is preventing any damage to the historic property during the intense two-week period.