The villa is situated at the foot of the Pizzorne mountains, in the area known as S. Pancrazio, seven kilometers from the historic centre of Lucca. Considered one of the most important Lucchesian Villas it is located on foothills bordering a plain and positioned facing the valley to afford splendid views.
Built over a pre-existing building dated 1412 it belonged, from the beginning of the XVI century to the very powerful merchant Diodati family of Lucca. Recent discoveries suggest that in 1550 it was in Gothic Style, with mullioned windows on the first floor and a dovecot embattled tower. During the XVI century, it most probably assumed a Renaissance style which is still visible in the open gallery featuring three arcades and supported by columns in the Tuscanic order.
The villa is set in an extensive park entered via an imposing elegant wrought iron gate leading onto a majestic driveway, which is strategically placed on the central axis of the estate. This allows a full vista over the gardens from the centre of the villa, which culminates at the circular Fountain to the north of the Italian garden, with the hills in the background, while, from the southern entrance there is a spectacular view of the plains of Lucca. The park consists of a vast 1800’s ‘English’ garden by the Parisian landscape architect Edouard Andre, a botanical garden, and terraced 1600’s Italian garden set with fountains and sculptures. An extrordinary and beautiful ‘Limonaia’ (Lemon Tree Greenhouse) is characterised by seven oval stone framed windows placed above corresponding porticoes marked in ashlar' work. During the winter months over 100 lemon trees in antique pots from the parked are stored here.
Accommodation at the villa is in the independent villa La Casa di Annadora of approx 210 m2 and includes two floors with ground floor living areas and four bedrooms (double/twin) and three bathrooms, private garden and swimming pool.
The adjoining La Stalleta is a gracious independent residence of approx 100 m2 consisting of two floors with living areas on the ground floor and two bedrooms (double/twin) with one bathroom, private garden and swimming pool.
