VILLA POZZOLINI DI BIVIGLIANO IN VAGLIA NEAR FLORENCE

Sixteenth-century Villa di Bivigliano is located just a short distance from Florence, nestled in the greenery of a vast historic park rich in exotic tree species. Characterised by its simple and elegant façades, at the front of the Villa is a large grass lawn flanked by two rows of cypress trees, with a charming chapel to the left dedicated to the Madonna della Neve, the Virgin Mary of the Snow. 

The main doorway leads into the large, high ceilinged dining hall with a gallery running around the upper level which provides access to the upstairs rooms. From the dining hall, various doorways lead to the Italian Renaissance garden with its impressive central fountain and the rear orchard arranged in terraces, leading to the panoramic belvedere which enjoys incredible views over the surrounding hilly landscape bordered on the right by the monumental cypress avenue.

Villa di Bivigliano has been lived in and looked after by the Pozzolini family for generations, maintaining its historical appeal and natural charm. It is the ideal location for discreet and unique events.

THE HISTORY OF VILLA POZZOLINI DI BIVIGLIANO

Villa di Bivigliano, a sober and imposing building in the style of Bernardo Buontalenti, was constructed on the remains of the Cattani di Cercina castle and is the result of the transformation carried out by the Ginori family at the end of the 16th century. The characteristics of the surrounding landscape inspired Filippo Ginori to create the ‘Selvatico’, a park for hunting and leisure, at around the end of the seventeenth century. It is crossed by a straight avenue that leads to a rustic stone nymphaeum with a fountain and an overlying terrace with a balustrade, reached by an internal spiral staircase. There is a large circular space in front of the grotto, which is surrounded by majestic plants, and there are traces of a central fountain basin, reminiscent of other theatrical features in the garden.

The estate, which was approximately 360 hectares, fell into decline and was purchased at auction from Alessandro Ginori Soldani Bensi by by Cavalier Luigi Pozzolini in 1858. During this period, the Pozzolini family carried out essential work on the Villa to make the rooms more comfortable and habitable once again. The arrangement of the surrounding area and the organisation of the large estate into a model farm were also of utmost importance, and still largely determine the layout of the surrounding area. The introduction of new crops, pasture, livestock and reforestation to protect the soil and crops, in addition to the row of cypress trees shielding the lower grounds downstream and an interesting collection of exotic plants, all served to enhance the park, leaving a lasting impression.

The estate remained productive until the Second World War, when the Villa, the farmsteads and the parkland suffered considerable damage. Following the war, with social and economic change leading to the sharecropping crisis, the estate began to be broken up and sold off until reaching its current size of 35 hectares.

The Villa today is restored to its original layout. Standing out on the elegant main façade, with its five main sections, is the impressive balconied doorway, typical of the Florentine tradition at the end of the 16th century. On the north side of the Villa is a large grass lawn that dates back to the second half of the 19th century, alongside which is the small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Snow.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS NEAR FLORENCE

Villa di Bivigliano, a splendid setting for unforgettable events, has an elegant garden that can accommodate up to 300 people, and rooms of various sizes suitable for weddings, receptions, gala dinners, business lunches, exhibitions and concerts, locations for films and photo shoots, conferences and special occasions.

Upon entering the villa, which can host up to 150 people at a seated dinner, there is the large main dining hall (which can seat up to 90 people alone) with its high ceilings and balconied upper level. From the dining hall there is access to a number of cosy and elegant drawing rooms and reading rooms tastefully furnished in keeping with the classic feel of the Villa. Moving downstairs there is a typical cellar made up of a number of adjoining rooms in stone and vaulted ceilings, along with the historic kitchen of the villa with its fireplaces and large woodburning aga. There is direct access to the garden from both the ground and lower ground levels.

The villa also has plenty of space for car parking and also has a large selection of furniture and accessories (tables, chairs, garden furniture, lanterns etc).