7km south
of Florence, the village of Mezzomonte has been hosting for centuries a
unique renaissance dwelling: Villa Corsini.
Built in
the middle of the hill, the Villa reigns white over grapes and olive trees
plantations, surrounded by gardens, lawns, walls, and overlooking the
wonderful countryside of Florence.
After its
original middle age foundation, when it was just a fortified farm, the villa
was owned by important families and men such as the Buondelmonte, Lorenzo
de' Medici "the Magnificent", the Panciatichi, Giovan Carlo de'
Medici, and finally the Corsini,
now owners of the villa for almost 400 years.
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The design
of the villa is the result of the will of two families, the Panciatichi, who
gave it the shape we see today, and the Corsini, who around the 1780 added
the southern italianate garden, the main English lawn, the farm building and the ground
floor chapel. The frescos and decorations are mainly due to the prince and
future Cardinal Giovan Carlo de Medici - cadet of the Grand-Duke Ferdinando
II, who owned the villa during the first half of the XVII century.
The
marquis Andrea (son of Senator Neri Corsini)
bought the villa from Giovan Carlo de' Medici in 1644.
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