Placed on the slope of Fiesole’s elegant hill, in the hamlet of Maiano, the Villa offers splendid views of Florence and of Fiesole’s landscape. The Villa was named “The Sfacciata”, in the XX century for its dominant position and its beautiful surrounding gardens and park.
It dates back to Medieval times when, we suppose, it appeared as a 14th century cottage with its pretty farm.
Cadastral documents of that time show that the Villa was transformed into a palace by the Bardi family that bought it in 1427 and subsequently sold it to Nicola Tegliacci in 1447. The new owner named the villa “Palagio dei Tegliacci”.
Restoration on a grand scale, carried out by the Salviati family, changed the 14th century aspect of the villa, and the villa was renamed “Salviatino”. The Salviati family remained the proprietor of the villa throughout,the XVI and XVII centuries.
A document from 1654 helps us to understand the magnificence of its interior decorations and furnishings. The Salviati family made it a centre of entertainment and social gatherings with distinguished guests, such as the Italian scientist and poet Francesco Redi, who wrote in his dithyrambic poem “Bacco in Toscana”: “...Fiesole viva, e seco viva il nome del buon Salviati ed il suo bel Majano...” (Long live Fiesole! And with it lovely Majano where my gentle Salviati dwells).
Since the XVII century, in spite of different owners, the villa didn’t change its aspect untill 1871, when Pietro Pagliano bought it. He added a crenellated tower so that the villa lost its ancient elegant aspect.
In 1882 the Villa became the property of Phelps Thomas who started a programme of full restoration work. The architect Corinto Corinti built a large central staircase and big “cinquecento” portals. He reduced the tower, designed a new covered entrance for the carriages, overhung by a garden, which still exist, and remodelled the park by adding an Italian garden and conservatories. Augusto Bruschi, who was entitled to carry out decorative works, painted walls with medioeval and neo-cinquecento patterns.
The Villa passed into the hands of the family Carrega di Lucedio family and, finally, it was purchased by the art critic, journalist and writer Ugo Ojetti and his wife Fernanda.
The weekly notes concerning the restoration works conducted by the architect Lusini contain several times the word “demolition”. All the medieval elements and structures were demolished and redesigned. The new intervention restored the building to its simple and, at the same time, sumptuous aspect. The walls of white plaster was restored providing contrast to the “pietra serena”, a Tuscany durable grey stone, which stands out from the thresholds and the chimneys. The interior was elegantly furnished with an art collection of great value, many beautiful objects contributing harmony to the overall environment. Thanks to Mr and Mrs Ojetti the Salviatino has become one of the most lively cultural salons of the time.A new period of Salviatino’s life is going to start.
It dates back to Medieval times when, we suppose, it appeared as a 14th century cottage with its pretty farm.
Cadastral documents of that time show that the Villa was transformed into a palace by the Bardi family that bought it in 1427 and subsequently sold it to Nicola Tegliacci in 1447. The new owner named the villa “Palagio dei Tegliacci”.
Restoration on a grand scale, carried out by the Salviati family, changed the 14th century aspect of the villa, and the villa was renamed “Salviatino”. The Salviati family remained the proprietor of the villa throughout,the XVI and XVII centuries.
A document from 1654 helps us to understand the magnificence of its interior decorations and furnishings. The Salviati family made it a centre of entertainment and social gatherings with distinguished guests, such as the Italian scientist and poet Francesco Redi, who wrote in his dithyrambic poem “Bacco in Toscana”: “...Fiesole viva, e seco viva il nome del buon Salviati ed il suo bel Majano...” (Long live Fiesole! And with it lovely Majano where my gentle Salviati dwells).
Since the XVII century, in spite of different owners, the villa didn’t change its aspect untill 1871, when Pietro Pagliano bought it. He added a crenellated tower so that the villa lost its ancient elegant aspect.
In 1882 the Villa became the property of Phelps Thomas who started a programme of full restoration work. The architect Corinto Corinti built a large central staircase and big “cinquecento” portals. He reduced the tower, designed a new covered entrance for the carriages, overhung by a garden, which still exist, and remodelled the park by adding an Italian garden and conservatories. Augusto Bruschi, who was entitled to carry out decorative works, painted walls with medioeval and neo-cinquecento patterns.
The Villa passed into the hands of the family Carrega di Lucedio family and, finally, it was purchased by the art critic, journalist and writer Ugo Ojetti and his wife Fernanda.
The weekly notes concerning the restoration works conducted by the architect Lusini contain several times the word “demolition”. All the medieval elements and structures were demolished and redesigned. The new intervention restored the building to its simple and, at the same time, sumptuous aspect. The walls of white plaster was restored providing contrast to the “pietra serena”, a Tuscany durable grey stone, which stands out from the thresholds and the chimneys. The interior was elegantly furnished with an art collection of great value, many beautiful objects contributing harmony to the overall environment. Thanks to Mr and Mrs Ojetti the Salviatino has become one of the most lively cultural salons of the time.A new period of Salviatino’s life is going to start.
© 2009 IL SALVIATINO
P.IVA : 05844440965
Via del Salviatino 21
Florence 50137
ITALY
+39 055 9041111
+39 055 0150201
P.IVA : 05844440965
Via del Salviatino 21
Florence 50137
ITALY
+39 055 9041111
+39 055 0150201