Villa Montalvo

Villa Montalvo, nestled on the outskirts of Campi Bisenzio in the province of Florence, is a magnificent estate that spans approximately 3,000 square meters. This historic villa, now owned by the municipal administration, offers a captivating journey through centuries of architectural evolution and noble heritage.

The History of Villa Montalvo

The origins of Villa Montalvo date back to 1305, when it was first mentioned in historical documents as a fortified house. The land on which it stands was owned by the Tornaquinci family (later known as the Tornabuoni) since the mid-13th century. The villa was initially fortified with walls and a tower, serving as a refuge during the turbulent conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. However, following the defeat of the Ghibellines, the villa suffered significant damage, with its fortifications dismantled and the tower partially destroyed.

In the early 15th century, the Del Sodo family acquired the villa and embarked on extensive renovations and expansions, which culminated in 1427 with the addition of a southern wing and a small chapel. The villa changed hands again in 1460, when it was purchased by the wealthy Spinelli family from Florence.

In 1534, Ottaviano de' Medici acquired the villa and initiated further modifications. The original structure and the Del Sodo addition were unified into a single building, surrounded by a newly created garden. A portico with columns was added to the inner courtyard, and a loggia was constructed on the first floor, spanning the entire length of the villa. Among its notable residents was Alessandro di Ottaviano de' Medici, the future Pope Leo XI.

By the mid-16th century, the nearby Marina stream altered its course, bringing its waters closer to the villa and causing frequent flooding and damage over the years. In 1570, Bernardetto de' Medici sold the villa to Don Antonio Ramirez, a nobleman from the Spanish Ramirez de Montalvo family, who had come to Florence with Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici. Under the Ramirez de Montalvo family, the villa experienced three centuries of alternating splendor and decline.

Architectural Evolution and Enhancements

Don Antonio Ramirez initiated a series of restorations and expansions, transforming the villa's southwest façade and adding a series of stone-bracketed windows with iron grilles on the ground floor. The entrance gate was reconstructed, featuring the family coat of arms on the arch. A high perimeter wall was erected around the villa, and two entrances were created: the main gate facing the villa's entrance and a secondary gate on the eastern side of the garden. A new stone well, adorned with a serene stone column topped by a lion statue, was also installed in the inner courtyard.

During the 17th century, the villa faced a period of decline, exacerbated by frequent flooding from the nearby stream and the Ramirez de Montalvo family's waning interest. However, in 1760, Don Ferdinando inherited the villa and undertook numerous maintenance works. The villa's interior was beautified with stuccoes and paintings, the garden was enriched with precious plants like magnolias, and terracotta pots with lemon trees lined the pathways. Terracotta vases and serene stone statues adorned the garden walls. The chapel, dedicated to St. Andrew Avellino (dating back to 1719), was renovated and expanded, becoming the family's private chapel. The surrounding woodland, initially planted by Don Antonio, was restored and thickened, transforming it into a hunting ground favored by the Florentine nobility.

Modern Day Villa Montalvo

The villa remained in the Ramirez de Montalvo family's possession until 1838, when the male line of the family became extinct. The last descendant, Giulia, married Felice Matteucci, an engineer from Lucca who co-invented the internal combustion engine with Eugenio Barsanti. Matteucci is buried in the villa's chapel. In 1921, the Matteucci heirs sold the villa to Giovanni Fratini, who significantly expanded its agricultural activities. In 1941, Fratini sold the estate to Walter Pauly, a Milanese industrialist. The villa was later acquired by a multinational corporation in 1974 and finally purchased by the municipality of Campi Bisenzio in 1984, along with the lemon house and garden. The restoration of the villa was completed in 1998.

Visiting Villa Montalvo

Today, Villa Montalvo houses the municipal library, the town's historical archive, and several municipal offices. It often serves as a venue for important municipal events. The lemon house is used for conferences, exhibitions, and other cultural events organized by the municipal administration and local associations. The garden boasts a 300-year-old magnolia and a monumental 200-year-old plane tree, standing 28 meters tall with a canopy diameter of 25 meters, listed among the monumental trees of Tuscany. Adjacent to the villa is the Villa Montalvo Urban Park, a 19-hectare public green space.

The villa is open to visitors from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. To reach Villa Montalvo, head to Via di Limite, which intersects with Viale Primaldo Paolieri, heading towards Capalle from the roundabout at the intersection of Viale Paolieri, Via Saliscendi, and Viale Salvador Allende.