Luxury resort with wellness center set in the Tuscan hills of Mugello near Florence Italy.
The Villa is one of the most beautiful late Renaissance country homes in Tuscany.
HISTORY
Built in the second half of the sixteenth century by the Bettini family, Villa Le Maschere was later acquired by the Florentine Gerini family, who began to enlarge and restructure the house, and to reorganize the park with new avenues and an Italian style garden.
At the end of the seventeenth century the villa was remodeled by Giovanni Battista Foggini, chief architect and sculptor to the court of the Grand-duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de’ Medici.
By the 18th and 19th centuries Villa Le Maschere was considered one of the most beautiful Tuscan villas.
Le Maschere was a favorite stop for popes (Pius IX in 1857), sovereigns (Carlo Emanuele IV King of Sardinia in 1801, King Carlo Felice in 1821), as well as many renowned noblemen and artists.
It was also the venue for some memorable theatrical parties, like the one for the wedding of the marquis Carlo Gerini with Isabella Magnani in 1832, which required a grand decorative restyling of the villa.
The coats of arms of the noblewomen who lived in the villa, including Caterina de’ Medici, the wife of Ottavio Gerini, are displayed in the lobby.
At the start of the twentieth century the villa was fitted with bathrooms on every floor, some of them decorated with the famous majolica from the nearby Chini factory in Borgo San Lorenzo.
This majolica was also used to decorate the former house of the gardener, today transformed into the elegant Chini Pavilion.
After 1963, when the villa was abandoned by the Gerini family, it fell into such disrepair that the roof collapsed and frescoes were lost or stolen, and the Italian Ministry for Cultural Property was compelled to declare the building “irrecuperable”.
Careful restorations have brought back to life their frescoes, majolica, sculpture and stuccoes, restoring to the rooms the ancient splendor they knew when they hosted popes, noblemen and artists.
Villa Le Maschere boasts 65 bedrooms and suites all varied in their decoration, fabrics and furnishings.
The theme of opposites reigns in Le Maschere Suite. Located on the top floor of the villa, it enjoys wide windows open on two sides of the building, offering a 360 degree view of the surrounding countryside.
A pure architectural space devoid of unnecessary decoration, the suite was conceived as a distinctively contemporary space.
Black and white alternate on the walls and in the furnishings, the fabrics and the ornaments, interrupted only by strong reds.
It includes a relaxing corner, with a sofa; a more formal space with a work table and 8 chairs for meetings; a rest area with two beds and the bathroom (shower and Jacuzzi) with views of the beautiful panorama from the shower or during a regenerating Jacuzzi (located in the center of the room).
This suite is without doubt a very private refuge. Two LCD televisions, one in the relax area and the other in the rest area.
This suite’s four-poster bed, its velvets and comfortable sofas offer the chance to relive the style of an epoch, against the splendid backdrop of baroque blues, ocher and gilded stuccoes.
The great bed stands in the middle of this exceptionally large room. Glass and gold leaf tiles, and the warm beige of the walls, make the bathroom the most precious of all.
Baroque touches, like the writing desk and the couches, co-exist with clearly contemporary details like the mirrored bedside tables and lamps.
At its center is a large shower and a Jacuzzi for two. This suite also has twin sinks and toilets, and two LCD televisions.
Spacious suite of 42 square meters formed by two bedrooms with double or twin beds, and two bathrooms.
Memories of oriental journeys decorate the ceiling and the walls of the bedroom, while another room bears scenes of romantic Italian balls and music.
These are subtle themes that evoke thoughts of distant lands.
The warm tones of the furnishings and the textiles enrich the colors of the frescoes.
Inspired by the works of the Florentine artist Galileo Chini, the decor of the Chini Pavilion Suite recalls the purity of the line so dear to the artist, as well as the image of the beetle, his personal trademark.
This elegant suite is characterized by a strong grey maroon
that dominates the fabrics, the walls and the majolica of the bathroom.
The Chini Pavilion Suite is located in the calm of the Chini Pavilion, and contains two LCD televisions, one in the living area and one in the bedroom.
The colorful notes of the furniture and fabrics complete the relaxing atmosphere.
These rooms also offer good views on to the park and the Bilancino Lake.
A classic and pure style, at once both elegant and functional, characterize the Superior Bedrooms of the Villa.
Guests are greeted by an entrance-way richly decorated with ceramics from the Chini factory.
Gold, blue and green dominate in Liberty style, echoed by the stained glass designs in the ceiling.
Up just a few steps, you enter the bedroom, characterized by green and blue fabrics and wooden white-painted beams that create a relaxing and intimate atmosphere.
This suite’s highlight is the triumph of flowers supported by two statues of women.
Created in 1686 by Giovanni Battista Foggini, sculptor and architect to the court of Grand-duke Cosimo III de’ Medici, the precious sculpture separates the alcove from the relax area.
The unique atmosphere of the suite makes it ideal for those important and special moments.
The furnishings of the rest of the Junior Foggini Suite, linear and essential, upholstered in grey and blue, create a pleasant contrast with the white walls.
It contains two LCD televisions, one in the living area and one in the bedroom.
The Junior Suites of the Villa are largely on the ground floor and offer guests insights into the personal histories of some of the building’s historic owners.
Fresco ceilings depict the romance and the adventure of travel, while the strongly-colored baroque furnishings have a minimalist, contemporary elegance.
The colours of the Junior Suite fabrics complete and enrich the whole effect, creating a relaxing atmosphere and a harmonious sensation of well-being. Located on the ground floor of the Chini Pavilion, the Junior Suites have private access to the surrounding Italian garden.
Large French windows in each room open on to the garden with all of its typical Mediterranean scents and colours, allowing the sun’s rays to caress the characteristic colors of the Junior Suites’ furnishings and walls.
The majolica bathroom, created by the Chini Factory in the Liberty Style, completes the distinctive look.
Junior Suites (Main Villa) from 21 to 37 square meters and Junior Suites (Chini Pavilion) from 30 to 41 square meters.
Decor and stuccoes make this an authentic Baroque living room (35 square meters). Glass and gold leaf tiles illuminate the beige walls of the spacious bathroom (15 square meters). An oval bath divides the two sink areas.
The orange and grey of the upholstery and the furniture fuse with the classical eighteenth-century motifs, creating a space that oozes harmony in every detail.
The sleek, geometrically-framed four-poster bed contrasts strongly with the sinuous lines of this room.
There are two LCD televisions, one in the living area and one in the bedroom.
The maroon upholstery also creates an eye-catching contrast, in a space conceived as a kind of exquisite dessert in the pastel delicacy of its decor and stuccoes.
Soberly decorated, the Elegant Bedrooms of the main villa, are all characterized by their distinctive bed.
A special feature of each is the high bed head, upholstered or in lacquered wood, crowned by a decorative gesso molding in the style of the villa.
The colors of the curtains, cushions, armchairs and the classical-style wardrobe, add a lightness to these rooms’ relaxing atmosphere. These rooms are also characterized by the use of a range of strong hues in the fabrics, walls and bathroom.
Inspired by the works of the Florentine artist Galileo Chini, the decor of the Elegant Bedrooms in the Chini Pavilion recall the purity of the line so dear to the artist, as well as the image of the beetle, his personal trademark.
The PioppoNero restaurant welcomes hosts in an absorbing and evocative atmosphere.
The style includes unusual tones of grey in the decoration, the fabrics, the mosaic floors, and precious stuccoes on the walls.
French doors open into the beautiful terrace designed by Foggini, where from spring to fall it is possible to dine.
Cooking Class at Villa Le Maschere, from 3:30 pm until 5:00 pm when you sit “a tavola” to enjoy the result of your work.
Your class will begin by selecting from the region’s freshest ingredients that the day has to offer.
You will then prepare your meal in the Hotel’s magnificent kitchen, just as the Chef does every day for guests at Il Pioppo Nero restaurant.
The Chef's attention to details is passed on to you, as a result of his passion for sharing his creativity and culinary gift with others.
In the end, it’s “tutti a tavola” to enjoy the wonderful, fresh meal that you have just prepared, overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
WINERY TOUR
A tour of the property, followed by a wine tasting of 3 wines accompanied by a olive oil tasting (Olio extravergine Laudemio Frescobaldi), Tuscan pecorino cheese and a selection of cold cut meats from the Frescobaldi farm.
The dominant motifs of this restaurant are the green of the fabric, the prints and the floral designs in the great lamps, which re-evoke the romantic park surrounding the Villa.
The great windows, the freshness of the colors, the stone floor and the garden furniture, make the restaurant the natural extension of the beautiful environment that surrounds the villa.
When the weather is nice, breakfast extends outside the villa, down to the foot of Foggini’s splendid staircase and the terrace fountain that overlooks the swimming pools.
07.30h - 10.30h
The brick vaults of the ancient cellars of the palace have been cleverly restored and renovated.
The rustic decor of these historic spaces creates the perfect atmosphere for wine tasting and traditional dinners.
The wine gallery connects the hall with the other restaurants through the villa’s ancient passageways.
All year long opens on request for groups, events, traditional dinners and wine tasting.
The PioppoNero (Black Poplar) restaurant welcomes hosts in an absorbing and evocative atmosphere. The style includes unusual tones of grey in the decoration, the fabrics, the mosaic floors, and precious stuccoes on the walls.
Dishes are carefully prepared to celebrate the union of rich local traditions with modern innovations.
The Menu follows the changing seasons and includes many Tuscan and Mugello traditional dishes.
12.30h - 14.30h
19.30h - 22.30h
The large wellness center offers sauna, Turkish bath, Emotional Shower, relaxation area, Jacuzzi with direct access to the outdoor swimming pools, and treatment rooms where guests can have different type of massages and beauty treatments with Sothys, a very famous French Cosmetic Line.
The wellness center has been developed in the ancient basements of the Villa, and enjoys a spectacular view through the three large arches that lead to the external swimming pools.
Complete treatment to reduce stretch- marks and tone up specific areas.
On the first floor of the main villa, is Galleria Fitness, a workout area with modern equipments, surrounded by frescoes and Chini art crystals.
Around the Villa's 18 hectares of romantic park are 3 unique trails for everybody to try.
Strong and energetic massage with almond oil, to relax the muscle system and relieve tension.
The Mugello valley near Florence is the perfect place for a holiday in authentic Tuscany in pursuit of culture and art, beautiful countryside, and great food and wine.
Mugello lies between hills and the Apennine mountains, and is characterised by vineyards and fruit farms. At its centre lies the Bilancino Lake.
The Mugellan town of Vicchio was the birthplace of the
famous Renaissance painters Giotto, Fra Angelico and Andrea del Castagno.
The region is also characterized by masterpieces of Renaissance architecture, including the castle of Trebbio and the villa of Cafaggiolo, designed by Michelozzo for the Medici and later to become the favourite haunts of Lorenzo the Magnificent.
Tuscany offers an ideal scenario for cycling enthusiasts of all levels.
The man-made Lake Bilancino now fills one of the parts of the ancient basin.
Just 10 km away from Villa le Maschere, l'UNA Poggio dei Medici Golf Club hosts one of the best golf course in Tuscany.
One of the most marvellous aspects of Tuscany is its landscape: a precious jewel that enhances the value of this region even more.
Horse-riding lessons for beginner; possibility to organise trekking paths with authorised guides.
Road races were held on public streets around Mugello since the 1920s.
It's a sort o Renaissance village where all the little houses host the coolest shops, with the best brands, both Italian and international.
Villa le Maschere offers the unique possibility to wedding.
VILLA LE MASCHERE
Villa le MaschereVia Nazionale 75 50031 Barberino di Mugello Italy