Historical villa with panoramic wiew of Lucca's plains, completed with farmhouse, hay-loft and parkland of 30,000 sq m. The villa is comprised of entrance, kitchen, dining room, living room, library, utility rooms, cellars, 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The farmhouse, with separate entrance is situated near the main entrance of the property and is comprised of kitchen, living room, dining room, utility rooms, 4 bedrooms and bathroom, and comes with private external area and terrace. The hay-loft is found inside the park.

Villa In a residential zone built in the 800's, of around  330 sq m., comprising wide sitting room with fireplace, small kitchen, bathroom, small living room with oven, ample storage in the basement,  entrance, kitchen, small living room,  spacious sitting room and large study, and bathroom on the ground floor; five  bedrooms, three bathrooms on the 1st floor,  large attic on the 2nd floor.  Complete with parkland of around 980 sq m. and terrace of 110 sq m.

Villa built in 1495, of around 600 sq m., consists of spacious sitting room, wardrobe, 2 kitchens, large dining room and 2 bathrooms on the ground floor; large  sitting room with fireplace, 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the 1st. floor, large sitting room, 2 bedrooms and  bathroom on the 2nd floor.  The property comes with around 5,000 sq m of parkland and garages of 150  sq m.

Good condition prestigious villa of 630 sq/mts with 20.700 sq/mts land completely surrounded by stone walls and wonderfull cellars in the basement floor; at the ground floor are placed the entrance, kitchen, dining room, living room and a wide sitting room. At the 1st floor a wide sitting room, five bedrooms and two bathrooms; at the 2nd floor six attic rooms. The property is completed with a farmer house of around 500 sq/mts and two external two external small constructions.

A beautiful 18th century villa, located in one of the best hills area of Lucca, with panoramic views of the plain of Lucca. Dating back to 1780 this property was completely restored few years ago, but it retains some of the original features; is made of 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms. The Ground floor consists of, large entrance hallway with a frescoed ceiling and bathroom, Kitchen with an open fireplace and French windows, which open up onto the garden and pool area and living room. The first and second floors are composed of a studio, four bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, one of which has a balcony and large dressing room.The basement has a lounge area, kitchen area and fireplace.The swimming pool has a pool room with bathroom and cellars below. Complete the property a greenhouse with heating system and a garage for agricultural machinery and a private acces road that offer to the villa a complete privacy. The property stands on a hill with huge parkland all included in within the property limit, olive groves, which produce approx. 5,000 litres of oil per year, 4 Ha of beautiful gardens, grassy terraces and fruit trees. Panoramic view.

Entering the old stone portal, facing on the main street of the hamlet, we are introduced at the ground floor, where it develops the living area of the dwelling house, composed of a wide living room with fireplace, kitchen with a comfortable dining area oven and a bathroom. At first floor spaces become majestic, the ceiling rises to a height of 4.90 meters to underline the richness of the main floor, with a disposition similar to the ground floor, with the majestic living room with fireplace, the double bedroom with bathrom designed for guests and the master double bedroom with fireplace and private bathroom completed with balcony overlooking the valley. At the same floor is located an apartment designed for guests that consists of a living room with fireplace, bedroom and bathroom. In the basement, are located the ancient cellar with double access either from the inside or from the outside of the property; the property is then completed with a private garden accessible through another ancient portal.

 

The building has been rediscovered thanks to the current owners, art and history lovers, who have "just" removed the “layer” of time rediscovering the noble structure with it’s precious details, bringing the ancient building to the original splendor, maintaining and enhancing the original ancient Nobility features; it has been restored with taste and deep respect for the original style, mantaining the splendid sixteenth look of coffered ceilings, fireplaces and spacious stone windows seating; the living area floors, retain the ancient brick tiles, while the sleeping area was paved with wooden decks. Particular attention has been given to the finishes implementation, to the materials and to the colors choice. The warm finishing of walls perfectly match to the shades of terra cotta floors and coffered ceilings, that creates a unique warm and enveloping atmosphere.

 

To note that the restoration was not reserved only to the structural or aesthetic level, but had interested the technological aspect to bring the property to an adequate level of comfort, wisely applying new technologies without distorting the historical origin ambience. The Palace, with the courtyard in a pebbles pavement, the access portal and the ancient stone staircase, are some of the original elements that convey to the visitors the profound historic charm that permeates the entire property and the place where rises.

Palazzo Buonvisi is ideal for lovers of art and history, in search of a dwelling place of prestige, representation, and also lends itself well to a receptive destination-type, renting rooms for holiday purposes inside a stunning ancient property.

Historical Outline

The first historical informations date back to 1274, when a document archive of the Castracani-Antelminelli's family (which belonged to the illustrious lord of Lucca, Castruccio) is a statement describing a small fortified palace placed at the entry gate of Ghivizzano where the property is located. For additional infos, again from archival sources of noble families of the area, we have to wait until 1429 (1400-1430)when Paolo Guinigi took refuge in the small palace at Ghivizzano (which belonged to  Catherine of Antelminelli, Paul's first wife)in order to escape the first stirrings revolt against his lordship.

After the collapse of the rule of the Guinigi's, the palace passed to the family Nuti (later Ghivizzani) which during the sixteenth century that had completely changed the appearance from a fortified building into  hunting house. The old medieval walls of the small village were incorporated into what will become the south facade of the building, going to create a step-walkway beneath the halls of the palace (via Sossala means under the hall); the openings from single to mullioned windows, became surrounded by large windows frames and architraves, giving to the structure itself, looking like a town palace.

In 1648, thanks to a marriage between the Nuti and Buonvisi families, the palace passed to the latter doubling its surface. From this period onwards, will always be remembered as the  hundred windows building, then in early 1900's, the home became a female convent-school by the will of Monsignor Camilli (born in this village), which later became the Fiesole Bishop.

In 2004, after several years of decline, the building was purchased by a private family that has meticulously restored it; today the old Nuti building, is reliving the great glories of the past.

This 1700's restored villa is about (including annexes) 900 Sq/mt and is developed on two floors plus the basement. At the ground floor are the official spaces (suitable for receptions, party, concert) either the private and the service rooms: The Painted Hall, the wide double Living Rooms, the Library, the Office/Studio, the Dining room, the wide Kitchen, the Laundry and a Toilet/powder room. At the first floor are seven (7) Bedrooms all of them with wide en-suite bathrooms; one of them, the master’s bedroom is more than 60 Sq/mt wide. The restoration of the  basement is, presently uncompleted; the original project foresaw  to use its wide spaces for a vine  cellar  and a small gymn then was temporary suspended.

Annexes includes: the Legnaia/Portico (wood-house), the Garage with a room for the technical  machineries (e.g. central heating boiler, hydraulic pumps, etc) and an hay-loft (capanna). All around stay with a well equipped gardens, partially fenced, with swimming pool, drive-in and parking area, Gardens (aprox. 3.000 sq. metre) are carefully maintained and includes high sized trees (cypress and mimosas), fruit-bearing plants (lemon, apricot, olive),  decorative bushes (laurel, boxwood, rosemary etc.) and many different blooms (roses, hydrangeas, oleanders, etc.).

Good condition 1700's villa with private chapel, of around 600 sq/mts and composed of ample entrance hall, large sitting room, kitchen, dining, living wardrobe and bathroom at the ground floor; ample sitting room with access to the garden, two bedrooms with private bathrooms,wardrobe and closet at the 1st floor, sitting room five bedrooms, wardrobe and three bathrooms at the 2nd floor. The property is completed with land of 15.000 sq/mts as olive grove and pool.

17.th century villa, on two floors,updated in various epochs, the villa has many remaining exterior features typical of Renaissance villas. Internally, the décor represents mixture of periods, from the carved stone fireplace with a gilded mirror in the upstairs salon dating from the 1700’s, the dining room tile flooring typical of the 1800's to the bathrooms and kitchen installed in the past 20 years.

 

The Villa Description: 

The main entrance hall leads to a receiving hall and beyond to the Grand Salon at the centre of the villa, complete with mezzanine. The staircase to the upper floor is accessed from the receiving hall, as is the modern kitchen (via a connecting hallway), as well as a large cantina which is currently used as a wine room and storage. There is an access as well to the service apartments- 3 decent sized rooms and a bathroom. From the grand salon the dining room is to the left. The suite is large and light, with a set of doors leading to the garden. There is also a large hearth. The room has two accesses from the grand salon, the doors to the gardens and another door leading to a connecting room and beyond to the kitchen. The connecting room could be used as a dining service room or a second, informal dining room. On the other side of the grand salon is the entrance to the old kitchen. This large, light room has not been utilised as a kitchen for many generations, but the original Renaissance features have been retained; a very large hearth and work surfaces of carved stone and quite possibly the original terra cotta floor tiles. This room has the potential to be utilised quite comfortably as an informal sitting room or study. Finally, there is a cloak room accessed from a corner of the grand salon. The grand salon has many windows with views onto the gardens, as well as a set of doors leading directly onto the formal garden behind the villa. The ceilings of all of the rooms on the ground floor are approximately 3.5 metres high, with the exception of the grand salon which is open to the upper floor. In most cases the ceilings are the traditional terra cotta and wood beam style of the original period architecture. The staircase leading from the ground floor to the upper suites arrives at a large upstairs landing. From this room are a set of doors leading to the Loggia, a large upstairs salon complete with a carved stone fireplace, the mezzanine, and an ante-chamber/sitting room that eventually leads to the library. The upstairs salon has many windows and is quite light and airy. It too has a set of doors opening onto the Loggia. The ante-chamber/sitting room is smaller, but equally luminous, with doors leading to the library and also to the Loggia. The loggia is in fact divided into two parts, being separated by the library, and each section of the Loggia corresponds to elegant sitting rooms. The mezzanine overlooks the Grand Salon downstairs and is the principal access for the bedroom suites. The first suite on the left is connected to the ante-chamber/sitting room by a hallway where there is a modern bathroom. The second bedroom suite on the left is connected to the first by a hallway where there is a second modern bathroom. The master suite is located on the right. It is approximately twice the size of the other bedrooms and has two bathrooms. The ceilings on the upper floor are substantially higher than those of the ground floor, and many have additional detailing. All rooms have numerous and large windows through which to enjoy the views of the estate park and the surrounding countryside. The flooring throughout is a mixture of styles and materials; the older tiles have been carefully maintained and in many cases where new tiling has been undertaken, an attempt to adhere to the classical styles was made. The doors and windows are in an equally well-maintained condition. From the hallway connecting the ante-chamber/sitting room to the upstairs landing there is a second staircase leading to the top floor. There are 6 very large rooms on this floor, with ceilings of varying height. Some rooms towards the centre of the villa have ceilings at least 4.5 metres in height, while those closer to the exterior eaves are lower, approximately 3 metres in height at their highest point, and reducing down to one and a half metres. The ceilings at this level are also tiles and massive wood beams. The exterior roof was revisited and repaired in recent years and is a very good state. This level has been left in its original condition and utilised as attic space. There are windows in every room save the landing and an independent entrance via a set of stairs on the west side of the villa exterior, facing the tree park. This floor could be developed into additional bedroom suites or used as a separate apartment. Finally there are two additional sets of exterior cantinas. The first set of two are accessed at the front of the villa and are located immediately under the service apartments. (The villa’s owner had considered connecting these cantinas to the service apartments in order to create an independent 2 bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room and dining room.) The second set is accessed from the east side of the villa, in the gardens. These have been traditionally used as storage.

 

The land Description:
The surrounding estate park is expansive (approx. 3.25 HA) and includes a lawn park, an olive grove, an orchard, cultivated land, a tree park, an entrance park and formal gardens. To the left of the centrally located high baux-hedged entrance lane leading to the villa’s wrought iron gates is a large lawn park of approximately .6 HA extending down to the edge of the property. To the right is a large olive grove of equal size. The formal drive entrance leads to wrought iron gates opening onto an entrance park along the front of the villa, overlooked upon by the Loggia. A two car garage is situated around to the left of the villa, and a large and elegant tree park and parking area to the right. Behind the garages is a high garden wall that completely encloses the formal gardens and lower orchard. The orchard is approximately .4 HA in size. The tree park is accessed via the parking area and is bordered on all sides by garden wall. It is on a slightly higher level than either the parking area of the formal gardens and is approximately .4 HA in size. A high garden wall protects the back side of the estate and runs the entire length, from the top of the tree park, down to the formal gardens and beyond to the lower orchard, and back around to the garages. The formal gardens and pool area are to the back of the villa and are approximately .25 HA in size. The gardens follow the classic Italian design and have been well maintained. The pool is set in the gardens and has a water feature of a marble sculpture. There is also a fountain set in the gardens, and a small chapel in its original state and well maintained. The chapel is a single small room with one window above the double doors and a stained glass window above the altar. There is a set of stairs on the side of the chapel that lead to a terrace on the roof of the chapel where one can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the villa, the gardens and the garden walls. At the back of the gardens is a wrought iron gate in the garden wall that leads to a village lane. On the other side of the lane is additional 1HA of land belonging to the property, consisting mostly of cultivated land. The house, gardens and estate enjoys tranquil surrounds and beautiful views toward Lucca and up to the convent of San Michele. The neighbourhood is tucked up against the foothills of the mountains to the south of Lucca and is mostly comprised of similar villa estates and therefore remains quiet; there is no passing traffic; needs some rennovation works.

Good condition villa of 337 sq/mts on two floors with three entrances, composed of entrance, sitting room, dining, small living, kitchen, sitting-living room, studio and boiler room at the ground floor, sitting room, six bedrooms and two bathrooms at the 1st floor. The property is completed with an hay-loft of 42 sq/mts and land for about 76.000 sq/mts.

Located in a sunny and panoramic position, 1500's villa of around 450 sq/mts on two floors plus basement, composed of old kitchen and cellars in the basement, large central hall-sitting room and four large rooms on the sides of it, five ample rooms at the attic floor. The property is completed with land of 5.000 sq/mts, external storage and hay-loft.

Placed in an exclusive residential area, elegant villa or around 1.000 sq/mt composed with entrance, ample sitting room with fireplace, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, four bedrooms with bathroom and study with fireplace at the ground floor, sitting room with fireplace, storage, bedroom, changing room and bathroom in the attic floor; wide sitting room with portico, kitchen, laundry room and cellars in the basement. The property is completed with 7.000 sq/mts  garden and external storags. Panoramic view.

1600's villa in excellent maintenance condition with frescos. The property is about 2.000 sq/mts on three floors plus cellars in the basement. Is completed with green house of around 150 sq/mts and around 16.000 sq/mts parkland.

Prestigious modern villa of around 500 sq/mt, composed of two independent large apartments; the first one is composed of independent entrance, ample sitting room with fireplace, kitchen and bathroom at the ground floor, three bedrooms and two bathrooms at the 1st floor, taverna, cellar services room and bathroom in the basement. The second apartment is composed of entrance-living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom at the ground floor, taverna, cellar, services room and bathroom in the basement. The property is completed with ample terraces, garage, car places and garden of around 2.000 sq/mts.

 

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Perfectly renovated 600's villa of about 800 sq/mt, composed of entrance, wide siting room with fireplace, kitchen, dining room with fireplace, laundry room, storage and two bathrooms at the ground floor, three bedrooms, two bathroom, studio and wide siting room at the first floor; sitting room with fireplace, kitchen, storage, studio, dining room, two bedrooms and two bathrooms at the second floor. The property is completed with around 1.800 sq/mt garden, with water well, external storage, garage and covered car places. Swimming pool under construction.

Located in a residential area and immersed in its 6,000 square meters of parkland, old property consisting of seventeenth century villa and with annex barn for guests. A symmetric dual ramp stairs overlooking the garden features the entrance to the main floor of the villa, that is developed on three levels and comprises a large central hall, dining room, kitchen, living room, bedroom and two bathrooms on the ground floor, living room, study, bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, four bedrooms, closets and two bathrooms second floor. The annexe is composed of a large hall with fireplace, dining room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, four bedrooms and two bathrooms to the first floor. The villa may represent an interesting solution for those in search of a fascinating dwelling to be renovated according to proper taste, surrounded by a residential area and not isolated, close to town centre.

Imposing Manor house perfectly renovated comprising on the basement level a cellar, living room, bedroom for a surface of 86 sq/m; ground floor: access room, living room with fireplace, dining room, kitchen, 2 bedrooms, studio, store room, bath, portico and terrace for a total surface of 389 sq/m; First floor: living room with fireplace, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, storage, corridor, utility room, plus additional room of some 231 sq/m; attic of 30 sq.m on the upper floor. Part of the property are 4 garages of 100 sq/m an annex-stable of 160 sq/m, a converted annex of 80 sq/m comprising a living room with kitchenette and verandah. Land 4 Ha of which 1 Ha pleanted at vineyard, 60 olives, park with mature trees and a 17x7 mts pool.