Historic 16th-century Villa With Frescoes And Park In Lucca

On the outskirts of Lucca, set along the first hillside slopes and less than twenty kilometres from Pisa Airport, stands a sumptuous Renaissance estate with a total covered area of 3,300 sqm. The property comprises the majestic main villa of 2,300 sqm arranged over four levels, a second historic 17th-century residence of 600 sqm, a 19th-century lemon house converted into an indoor swimming pool, an ancient restored farmhouse, ancillary buildings and a private chapel. Enclosed within a four-hectare fenced park adorned with a lotus pond, together with a further five hectares of woodland and agricultural land, the estate offers thirteen bedrooms, nine bathrooms, frescoed reception halls, a 250 sqm frescoed ballroom and a monumental library. An aristocratic estate of exceptional value, conceived for the highest level of entertaining or for hosting distinguished guests in complete privacy.

Designed by the illustrious architect Nicolao Civitali at the beginning of the 16th century for Francesco Burlamacchi, the main villa has welcomed kings, princes and bankers over the centuries, preserving the solemnity of its rooms intact. Transferred in 1548 to the Duke of Amalfi, the residence was purchased at the end of the 18th century by Marianna Montecatini, who redesigned the park in the Romantic style, created direct access from the loggia and placed her coat of arms on the wrought-iron gate. In the 19th century, it became the residence of the Count of Nieuwerkerke and the Cantacuzene Princesses, enriched with portraits and memorabilia. In 1870, Emperor Napoleon III and the Countess of Castiglione stayed here: the dining room still preserves wall paintings of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia, accompanied by a plaster bust of the Countess kept on the upper floor. The dining room adjoins a 100 sqm full-height library housing over 10,000 volumes and opens onto a spectacular 24-metre loggia with Pietra Serena columns and Baroque frescoes, overlooking the fenced park and the lotus pond.

The Piano Nobile of the main villa is entirely decorated with extensive 17th-century fresco cycles dedicated to Greek deities, allegories and mythological figures. The heart of the entertaining spaces is the monumental 250 sqm ballroom surmounted by a 16-metre-high frescoed vault, whose walls are enriched with portraits of Roman deities, astrological motifs and trompe-l'œil architecture. The living area includes a second large reception room and a suite of four interconnecting lounges with original 17th-century decorations. The third floor of the building is currently divided into two refined independent apartments, while the semi-basement includes two staff accommodations as well as several technical and utility rooms.

The estate includes a second 17th-century patrician residence of 600 sqm arranged over three levels, distinguished by two superimposed loggias on the façade and a third rear loggia facing the pond. The structure is divided into three self-contained apartments offering ten bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Among the ancillary buildings are the 19th-century lemon house converted into an indoor swimming pool and an ancient finely restored farmhouse with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and 200 sqm of space used as a study. The farmhouse retains 12th-century mullioned windows, making it the oldest building on the entire estate. A charming private chapel completes the property.