VILLA LE CIPRESSE: HISTORICAL RESIDENCE IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF LUCCA

Villa Le Cipresse is a splendid historical residence of approximately 500 square metres in the heart of the countryside of Lucca and just 10 minutes away from the famous walls of this ‘Città d’Arte’. It offers magnificent views of the surrounding hills and is spread over three levels.

On the ground floor is the entrance, a TV and library room, a dining room with a fireplace, a pantry with cupboards containing all the necessary tableware, a fully equipped eat-in kitchen and a laundry room entirely finished with marble. All rooms feature beamed ceilings, crossbeams and roof tiles in terracotta, and Bardiglio grey and Carrara white marble floors.

On the first floor, there is the main living room, entered from the external grey stone staircase, a beautiful double bedroom decorated with nautical charts, complete with a large walk-in wardrobe and spacious Bordeaux marble bathroom, a small study and the master double bedroom with a balcony and access to the garden, which has its own spacious, elegant bathroom containing a Jacuzzi and a walk-in closet. The bedrooms are air-conditioned.

On the second floor, there is another independent entrance leading into a big kitchen/dining room with a fireplace, a large double bedroom with a white marble bathroom, a TV lounge with a fireplace and a hallway leading to three further double bedrooms and two white ceramic-tiled bathrooms. All have beautiful sage green varnished wooden floors, and there is air conditioning, and fans, in every room. Wi-Fi internet is available throughout the house.

Just the other side of the garden wall, is the pool area with a 10.5 x 3.5-metre salt-treated swimming pool. The sun deck offers shaded areas and is equipped with sun loungers and chairs. There is also a cabana with a bathroom and barbecue. In the garden, a seating area with groups of sofas and armchairs is provided, as well as an ‘al fresco’ dining area for 12 people.

THE HISTORY OF VILLA LE CIPRESSE

Villa Le Cipresse is believed to have been part of an ecclesiastical complex dating back to the 15th century, with the Villa itself possibly serving as the church of the adjacent convent. This hypothesis is supported by the large arch of an ancient door and two smaller arches, undoubtedly appertaining to two windows that are still visible on the south-facing side façade. Further evidence can be found in the stunning garden, which features a nymphaeum similar to those found in the ‘hortus conclusus’ enclosed garden of Villa Parensi, as well as a pergola of vines and wisteria supported by brick columns in the classic cloister style.

The earliest established date on record is 1690, found inscribed in the adjoining chapel. Further documentation is not confirmed until the land registry of 1838. It would appear that this area was owned by Lucca's powerful Mansi family, although it is impossible to trace the various owners who succeeded each other in the centuries prior to 1900. After the war, the property came into the possession of the MacAndrew family. Legend has it that the lady of the house, Carol, although no longer in the full bloom of youth, used to enjoy bathing in the nude in the small pool next to the well, now used as a ‘herbarium’, which apparently caused a great deal of scandal among the neighbours. Mrs. MacAndrew was the first President of the ‘Associazione Musicale Lucchese’, which still honours her memory by providing scholarships for young musicians.

In 2008, Villa Le Cipresse was purchased by the current owners, the Guidi di Bagno Marquises, an ancient Tuscan family. They completely renovated the Villa, modernising it while still respecting their home’s antique style, making it one of the most appreciated and sought-after holiday destinations in the Lucca area.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES AT VILLA LE CIPRESSE

Villa Le Cipresse is a haven of relaxing peace and tranquility. With the gentle background sounds of the countryside during the day, and the star-lit sky and absolute silence at night, we guarantee your stay with us will be truly restful and unforgettable. Some of the many services we offer include a butler, available for 4 hours a day, 6 days a week, with extra hours possible upon request and for an additional fee and a private chef, preparing delicious meals of local and international cuisine who can be reserved on request for an additional fee.

As a result of our years of experience, we have created a network of services that we can highly recommend, including tour guides, chauffeurs with cars and minivans, tourist agencies for organising visits, a masseur, spa experiences, yoga classes, babysitters, transfers to and from the airport and railway station, sports facilities (golf, tennis, sailing, etc.), car and bicycle rentals.

The owners speak Italian, English, Spanish and French and will be happy to propose activities and entertainment ideas for their guests.

Amenities in the Villa include:

• a library with more than 2,000 volumes on various subjects in Italian, English, French and Spanish,
• a TV room with a DVD player,
• a dining room for 12, complete with tablecloths and everything needed for elegant table settings, with a fireplace,
• a fully equipped kitchen, featuring refrigerator, freezer, two ovens, stovetop, three types of coffee makers (Moka, American, Nespresso), ice maker, microwave, rubbish disposal, water filter, gas alarm, dishwasher and various appliances,
• a laundry room with two washing machines.

The two double bedrooms on the first floor have en-suite bathrooms (one with a shower, the other with a Jacuzzi), a walk-in closet, air conditioning and a TV. The four bedrooms on the second floor, two twins and two doubles, share three bathrooms with showers. They have air conditioning and ceiling fans. The second floor also has another kitchen and a TV lounge.

Unlimited Wi-Fi internet is available throughout the Villa.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

Villa Le Cipresse is strategically located for easy access to airports, trains, motorways and numerous tourist and food and wine destinations. The airports of Pisa (40 minutes) and Florence (60 minutes) are nearby and connect to many national and international destinations. In addition to beautiful Lucca with its famous walls, there are countless other tourist destinations such as Versilia with its beaches, shopping and nightlife, Pietrasanta with its art galleries and restaurants, Pisa, Florence, Volterra, Barga, Bagni di Lucca and countless others.

Tuscany is a paradise for food enthusiasts and is of course renowned for its selection of wines. There are different gastronomic festivals almost every week. In Lucca, you can visit the royal Villa Reale and historic residence Villa Grabau. The famous Antiques Market takes place on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month. There are many cultural events to attend, especially during the summer: in addition to museums and exhibitions in and around Lucca, the Puccini Festival is hosted in Torre del Lago, a major rock/pop festival attracting top artists is held annually in Lucca, and there is the ‘Comics & game’ initiative at the end of October, with the PhotoLux festival in November, to name just a few of the many cultural events awaiting you.