Rif. 0434
Lionard Luxury Real Estate Via dei Banchi, 6 - ang. Piazza S. Maria Novella 50123 Florence Italy Tel. +39 055 0548100 Fax. +39 055 0548150 Tuscany Lucca Exclusive Villa In Lucca DESCRIPTION This important villa, dating to the second half of the XVII century, full of historic and cultural value, is situated in an historic suburb just a short distance from the centre of Lucca. Acquired by Paolina (Pauline) Bonaparte, Napoleane s sister, in the first half of the XIX century, the home reached its actual configuration thanks to important extension work that was undertaken also during that period. The east façade of the main building was reworked and enriched with a low set lunette and a considerable mosaic on the staircase. The property comprises a principle villa, a Limonaia (lemon house building), dating to the same period and today a lived in residence, together with an agricultural annex, which was at one time home to the farmer. The large rectangular basin, the original of the nineteenth century, has today been transformed into a swimming pool. The highlight of the property is, without doubt, revealed in the enormous surrounding parklands, work of a noted English landscape architect of the XIX century. Situated in the north area is a wonderful English garden, characterised by antique winding pathways with its original lateral water drains, it produces magnificent examples of evergreen and forest oaks and century old lime trees, as
well as the ginko and two evergreen sequoias; further on, big camellia plants reach some twelve metres in height. In between the gardens ornamental elements is the main pathway, an interesting gazebo with a wrought iron structure and wonderful mosaic floor, an ice-house behind the camellia grove, a curved basin and remains of a large basin in the shape of a heart specially built for Paolina. The two smaller Italian gardens, one by the villa and the other close to the lemon house, were created during more recent times together with the large rectangular basin around the back of the woods, today transformed into a swimming pool. TECHNICAL DETAILS LOCATION Born as a Ligurian settlement and developed as a Roman city, in the VI century Lucca became capital of the Longobard Duke of Tuscia, to then grow during the XII century to become a commune and successively into a Republic. In medieval times the city grew notably in relation to the ancient Via Francigena which became important for the presence of the Volto Santo, a highly venerated relic representing the crucifix of Christ, today found in the Duomo of Lucca. In spite of the ups and downs of the battles between the Guelfi and Ghibellini fractions, Lucca became one of the most important cities in medieval Italy. Its Lord, Castruccio Castracani of the Antelminelli noble family, managed to make it the only antagonist to the expansion of Florence, taking it to victory in 1325 in the battle of Altopascio. On the death of Castruccio, the city fell into a period of anarchy succumbing to the Visconti and successively to the dictator Giovanni Dell Angelo, ducale of Pisa. Regaining its freedom, intervention of the Emperor Carlo IV, Lucca once again found great fame in Europe thanks to its bankers and commerce in silk. Excluding a brief period of Seignory authority, like that of Paolo Guinigi, Lucca remained an independent republic right up until 1799, the year in which it fell definitively to the Austrians. In 1805 the Principality of Lucca and Piombino was formed, assigned to the sister of Napoleone Bonapart, Elisa, and to her husband, Felice Baciocchi. In 1860 the city was finally joined to the realm of Italy. Today one of the main Italian cities of art, Lucca is also celebrated outside of its national confines above all for its unique walls that surround it, dating to the XV-XVII century; transformed in the second part of the nineteenth century into a pleasant walkway, resulting still today as one of the best conserved in Europe, in that in past centuries it was never used as a defensive barrier. Even the historic centre is still intact conserving its original appearance, with various exclusive and prestigious architectural elements. The city boasts striking urban spaces: the most celebrated is surely that of Piazza dell Anfiteatro, constructed on the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheatre and work of the architect Lorenzo Nottolini, a unique of its kind. Main vein of the historic city centre is the narrow and characteristic Via Fillungo, of medieval origin, it unites the main commercial enterprises of the city. Recently a proposal was forwarded to include the historic centre of Lucca in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Interior surface: 2100 m2
Exterior surface: 10 he Main villa: 1000 m2 Camere: 6 Bagni: 8 Living rooms: 5 Dining room Kitchen Library Annex: 300 m2 Custodian s villa with storehouse: 800 m2 swimming pool greenhouse plus other rooms and technical sheds Lucca km 5 - Forte dei Marmi km 40 - Viareggio km 20 - Golf Club km 9 - Thermal baths km 16 Racecourse km 35 - Pisa Airport km 40 - Highway exit: A11, exit Lucca est km 7 Rif.: 0434 Price: On Application
PROPERTY PHOTOS
ITALIAN HEADQUARTER Lionard Luxury Real Estate via dei Banchi, 6 - ang. Piazza S. Maria Novella 50123 Firenze Italia Tel. +39 055 0548100 Fax. +39 055 0548150 info@lionard.com Lionard Luxury Real Estate MAIL CONTACT DIRECT ENQUIRES Marketing: marketing@lionard.com Office number: Tel. +39 055 0548100 Acquisitions and Sales: sales@lionard.com English department: english.department@lionard.com Tel. +39 055 0548105 Mob. +44 (0)7583241415 Office management: segreteria@lionard.com Be-LIONARD: advertising@lionard.com ufficiostampa@lionard.com Human Resources: career@lionard.com Russian department: russian.department@lionard.com Tel. +39 055 0548116 U.S.A. department: usa.department@lionard.com Chinese department: chinese.department@lionard.com Tel. +39 055 0548102