Was Villa Il Melarancio always a tranquil escape? Don’t let its peaceful facade fool you. Villa Il Melarancio, perched atop Scandicci Alto, whispers tales of a tumultuous past. This 14th-century villa, once known as “Villa Il Giglio”, has seen a carousel of owners. From the Torelli family to the Martelli and Torrigiani clans, each left their mark. In 1624, it became the property of Alessandro Girolamo Viti, a gift that would tie its fate to the church. Years later, in 1739, Giuliano Viti bequeathed all his possessions, including the villa, to the Dominican friars of San Marco in Florence. Imagine their hushed prayers echoing within these walls. This spiritual chapter was short-lived. By the early 1800s, the villa was sold to the Archdiocese of Florence, only to change hands again in 1976, becoming the property of the Salvini family. Today, Villa Il Melarancio stands as a testament to the ebb and flow of time, its stones whispering secrets of a vibrant and ever-changing history.
Santa Lucia alla Castellina
“A sanctuary of art and faith””. You might say that about many places, but here at Santa Lucia alla Castellina,