Queen of the Villas

First Hills of Florence - Italy

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Known in the past as 

"Queen of the Villas"

Appeared on record as early as 1427, it was the property of some of the most remarkable patrician families in Tuscany.

The villa's prestigious status drew many important figures, among whom Pope Pius VII, who stopped over on his way to Paris to crown Emperor Napoleon in 1804 and Paul I, Emperor of Russia.

Today the villa is a National Monument.

Private entrance drive.

It is very suitable for private mansion or Relais de Charme/Boutique Hotel. 

Protected by the Italian Superintendency of historical and cultural heritage

History and restoration

The estate experienced both peaceful and troubled times.

Works to construct the modern villa began at the end of the 17th century and were completed in the early 18th century by a professional builder who was very popular with the Florentine nobility of the period.

The building consists of a central block and two “L-shaped”wings housing apartments, offices, the chapel and the lemon-house; to the south, the wings enclose a beautiful Italian style garden.

It is built in the sober and elegant Florentine architectural style.

Landscape and art at the villa

The Villa blends in beautifully with the surrounding fields planted with olive groves, vineyards and cypresses – the symbols of the land of Tuscany. In fact, the grand avenue that leads to the main entrance of the villa is lined with cypresses. The perspective enhances the main facade, elegantly animated by two vertical mouldings outlining the central block and crowned by a gable with the statues of the Four Seasons. The theme of the seasons can be found again also inside the villa in the form of frescoed decorations in the large rooms, depicting the alternation of seasons and the gifts they bear.

Nature and talent in the Italian style garden

Interior and exterior together form the same setting, an “architectural machine” rendered pleasant and spectacular by the same aesthetic sensitivity. In fact, the Villa would appear quite differently without its garden, which is in itself a work of nature and of human art performed according to the rules of the “Italian style garden”, the style whereby natural elements are artificially arranged in geometrical order.

A marvellous architecture of plants and geometrical shapes

Ornamental waterworks, flower beds, hedges, an alternation of views and heights:the Villa’s garden. Respecting the original 18th century layout of the garden, the typical plants of that period have been planted and the original irrigation system made out of stone – one of the best preserved in Tuscany – has been restored. The garden maintains its charm all year round thanks to the rotation of seasonal plants: old roses, aromatic plants, annuals, perennials.

The "Season s' Garden", created in the 18th century offers the most astonishing image of its rebirth in April, with the scented blossom of the splendid bulbous plants: narcissus, tulips, hyacinths and many others spring plants such as, in particular, the firittilaria also known as "imperial crown" because of the orange tuft of bell-shaped, pendolous flowers surmounting the bottom of the stem that, thanks to its charme deserved one of the most clamorous nobilty's title of the Villa.

But, not less perfumed and gorgeous is the exotic summer of the garden, crowned by plants of dahlia, sage, multicolour clematis and Indian giant ibiscus. And, in every season, the entire garden is surrounded by the golden crown of 120 secular lemon trees.

A liveable jewel of art

The ground floor houses the reception rooms surrounding the very large central hall and its wealth of works of art. A grand staircase leads to the upper floors where the living quarters and bedrooms stand out for their variety and elegance. Careful and accurate restoration works have brought the various rooms in the villa back to their original appearance. Frescoes and decorations on the doors and windows were uncovered and the beauty of their colors and styles has been fully restored. The charm of the villa is further enhanced by its beautiful antique furniture and extraordinary collection of paintings and objects of art, carpets and tapestries. In this layout of rooms and chambers, the guests of the villa can move around in close contact with the art and splendor of the Tuscan patrician homes of the past.

The big ball-room of the palace is suitable, in particular occasions, for gorgeous receptions in a luxurious background whose refinement evokes either the noble tradition of the most illustrious guests of the Villa.

Vineyards - Vinery - Wines

This is Chianti Classico country. The superb landscape offers sweeping views over tens of hectares of verdant vineyards and thousands of olive trees. In the Tuscan countryside, fragrances and colors intoxicate the senses of those who love and cherish them, an instinct that is second nature here. In more practical terms, this Villa mission is to pass on the savors and colors of this noble land, by maintaining a healthy balance of modern agronomic techniques and respect for the territory as a whole.

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