Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati

Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati, locally known as Villa Corsi Salviati, is an exquisite historical villa situated in the charming town of Sesto Fiorentino, just a stone's throw from Florence, Italy. This magnificent estate stands as a testament to the grandeur of Tuscan architecture and the rich history that has unfolded over centuries within its walls and gardens.

The Origins of Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati

The story of Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati begins in the early 16th century. In 1502, Simone di Jacopo Corsi acquired a property from Luca di Andrea Carnesecchi, which included a noble house and a walled garden. The villa's original design is immortalized in a lunette attributed to Bernardino Poccetti, showcasing a two-story structure with a grand altana, a dovecote, a loggia on the first floor, and an Italian garden featuring rectangular flower beds and a central fountain.

Transformation in the 17th Century

The mid-17th century marked the first significant transformation of the villa and its gardens. Giovanni and Lorenzo Corsi commissioned Gherardo Silvani and Baccio del Bianco to expand and renovate the estate, as evidenced by a 1644 plan. The villa was enlarged and its appearance significantly altered, although Del Bianco's frescoes have unfortunately not survived. The garden saw an impressive evolution, with the addition of water features and a more elaborate architectural layout. The new Italian garden, with its rectangular flower beds bordered by box hedges and a central basin, was complemented by an orchard with a star-shaped design and a long parterre stretching between the lemon house and the villa.

The 18th Century: A Period of Grandeur

The most extensive transformation of the villa occurred in the 18th century, from 1708 to around 1750. The villa and garden assumed their current forms during this period. The facades were adorned with decorations and stuccoes, and four terraced towers with loggias were added at the building's corners, crowned with statues, pinnacles, and urns. This baroque enhancement gave the villa a symmetrical and precious appearance reminiscent of Roman baroque architecture.

New features included two aviaries to the west of the main villa, united by a grand wall with a central arch flanked by two large statues. The geometric parterre in front of the villa was redesigned with triangular and trapezoidal flower beds, while the rectangular fish pond was transformed with a wrought iron railing and four statues representing the Seasons. A grand circular basin with multiple water jets replaced the former rabbit warren, and a new lemon house was constructed with a small geometric garden in front. The southern wall of the garden was enriched with wrought iron gates, and a 300-meter-long ragnaia (a grove of holm oaks) was added.

The 19th Century: Embracing the English Style

In the 19th century, the garden underwent significant changes influenced by the English landscape style. An artificial lake with an islet and a rustic hut connected by a stone bridge was created in the holm oak grove to the east. The park was made more natural with the addition of two hills and tall trees, including cedars of Lebanon. The parterre was transformed with the introduction of numerous palm trees and exotic plants, and two greenhouses were built to house these plants, heated by powerful steam stoves.

The botanical passion of the Marquis Francesco Antonio Corsi Salviati, who passed away in 1878, was continued by his son Bardo. He cultivated collections of ornamental plants, including citrus fruits, rare orchids, palms, and Florence roses, making the garden famous throughout Europe.

The 20th Century: Restoration and Preservation

In 1907, the villa was inherited by Count Giulio Guicciardini Corsi Salviati, who restored the garden to its 18th-century form based on archival documents. The baroque parterre design was revived with boxwood hedges and seasonal flowers. The stone furnishings and elliptical fish ponds were restored and decorated with polychrome mosaics. The greenhouses were demolished, and the garden was reconnected with the villa through a redesigned English-style forest divided into three parts, including a reconstructed labyrinth.

A verdant theater inspired by the Mirabell Castle in Salzburg was built on the hill where a stream once flowed. The stage, surrounded by cypress curtains and boxwood wings, featured a prompter's pit disguised by an ivy-covered dome and a statue of Apollo at the back.

Today: A Living Legacy

Today, Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati stands as a living legacy of Tuscan heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of its historical inhabitants. The villa's beautifully restored gardens, architectural splendor, and rich history make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the region. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply a lover of beautiful landscapes, Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati promises an unforgettable experience.