The Villa in Italian history

2019 VA Q2 Villa Medicea Petraia 2The Medici Villa "La Petraia" in Florence

Since the Roman times, the Villa is much more than a home: it is a way of life.

Originally, the latin word Villa refers to both a place of residence and an agricultural exploitation. With the development of Roman civilisation, the Villa becomes a holiday destination, characterised by the comfort of the residence, the organised agricultural exploitation of the land, but also by openness to artists and their works.

During the Italian Renaissance, Villas developped throughout the peninsula, and notably in Tuscany, where the Medici have left a wonderful legacy.

The young people depicted by Giovanni Boccacio in the Decameron depict an ideal vision of the Villa. They fled from the plague-torn Florence (1348) to take refuge in a Villa on top of a hill. In this dreamy environment, they indulge in music and conversation, while enjoying the beauty of the estate, home to many animals.

The traditional and comfortable Italian Villa, part of a symbiotic relationship with nature and central to cultural exchanges, is the symbol of an elegant "art de vivre".

Villa Ambretta

Villa Ambretta Q2The Villa Ambreta is located on the hights of the Montaltino hill.

The Villa Ambretta draws its name from its previous owner, Ambretta Sforzi, who was born there. It was built during the 1930s by the stonelayer Sandro Scarpelli, bought in 2016 by Philippe and Muriel and renovated by Enzo and Stefano Vanucci in 2017.

The agricultural domain of the Villa Ambretta spreads accross 35 hectares. The six olive groves are traditionally cultivated. The olives are hand harvested and cold-pressed after each day of harvest - this allows us to produce a very high quality Tuscan olive oil, both flavour-wise and nutrition-wise, with the appellation "Olio Extravergine di Oliva Toscano - IGP".

To welcome guests, the stables of the Villa Ambretta have been transformed into the Villa Ombrone, in reference to the river winding in the valley before meeting the sea a few kilometres down. 

With its three rooms, the Villa Ombrone was conceived to welcome six people. It features an office space with a fast Internet connection, a relaxation area with a sauna and a heated outdoor pool (May-September). It is available for rent year-long. Thanks to solar energy and heat pumps, the Villa Ombrone is energy-positive; it produces more energy than it consumes.

The Villa Ambretta Arte was created to contribute to the promotion of art in Tuscany. It welcomes artists and offers them a place to work, create and present their works. It allows for informal encounters between the guests of the estate and the artists.