VILLA GAMBERA A SETTIGNANO

HISTORICAL GARDENS OF TUSCANY

The villa, which had belonged to the Benedictine Nuns of San Martino since the 14th century, passed into the hands of Antonio and Bernardo Rossellino in the 15th century, and later, in 1610, to Zanobi di Andrea Lapi. In 1718, it was acquired by the Capponi family, who shaped the villa into its current form, as depicted in 18th-century engravings. During this period, several features emerged: the rear garden, designed as a courtyard adorned with rustic motifs and set on a higher level than the building; the orangery, where citrus plants are kept; the holm oak grove; and stone statues depicting animals.

Throughout the 19th century, the villa saw numerous owners, many of whom belonged to the wealthy European nobility. Among them was Jeanne Keshko, wife of Prince Eugenio Ghyka-Comănești, who purchased the property in 1896 and retained it until 1925. During World War II, both the villa and the garden suffered significant damage, leaving the latter unrecognizable. In 1954, based on old documents, the owner Marcello Marchi embarked on a six-year-long restoration project that restored the villa to its former splendor. Since 1994, the Zalum heirs have continued this work.

The most interesting part of the garden is located on the south side of the building. Here lies a magnificent parterre, constructed at the behest of Princess Ghyka, with the help of two local gardeners, Martino Porcinai (father of the more famous Pietro) and Luigi Messeri. They divided the area into four elongated rectangular water beds, accentuated by boxwood hedges (often double), which culminate in a semicircular belvedere marked by arch-shaped cypress trees. This creates a theatrical effect reminiscent of an 18th-century verdant theater, offering breathtaking views of the Florentine countryside.

Parallel to the villa and the parterre is a long lawn (ten meters wide and three hundred meters long), flanked by a high wall adorned with statues, interrupted at one point to allow access to a small garden. This garden consists of a lawn decorated with hydrangea pots along the sides and ends in a grotto, made of pebble mosaics, sandstone figurines, and terracotta statues.

Two double staircases, placed on either side and embellished with a rich balustrade featuring fruit-shaped columns, lead on one side to a raised holm oak grove and on the other to an orangery. Beyond this, another holm oak grove connects to the long lawn, which leads to an oval-shaped garden ending in a grotto containing a basin with a statue of Neptune.

VILLA GAMBERAIA IN SETTIGNANO

VILLA GAMBERAIA

ITINERARI STRAORDINARI | TOSCANA