It’s wonderful to be back in Bagni di Lucca. The weather has been quite variable, with sunny days alternating with heavy rain. Ponte a Serraglio looks stunning in the early autumn light.
Recently, I visited Villa Reale with friends. This late Renaissance villa is located just outside Lucca in Capannori. Originally a 15th-century residence, it belonged to the Buonavisi family from 1517 to 1651. The Palazzina dell’Orologio, with its iconic clock tower, was added in the 17th century, and the Italian-style gardens were established during the latter half of that century.
In 1806, Elisa Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister, purchased the estate. She also acquired the nearby Villa del Vescova, along with its 16th-century garden and grotto, effectively doubling the property’s size. The estate became known as Villa Reale di Marlia, serving as her official residence as Duchess of Lucca, Princess of Piombino, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Countess of Compignano. Napoleon delighted in sharing this estate with his family.
Elisa redecorated the villa in the Neoclassical style, built gatehouses, and transformed the original Italian gardens into a stunning English landscape park, complete with a lake.
After changing hands several times, the estate fell into disrepair until Count and Countess Pucci-Blunt purchased it in 1924, saving it from total destruction. In 2015, the once-neglected property was sold to its current owners, Henri and Marina Gronberg. They fell in love with Villa Reale and immediately began extensive renovations to the buildings and the gardens, allowing people from around the world to experience its beauty.
Take a stroll through the estate; it’s quite an enchanting experience.
During our visit, we stumbled upon a delightful small antique market located in the limonaia (lemon house). While there were some tempting treasures on display, I managed to resist the urge to buy anything.
Villa Reale is truly a wonderful place to visit. There are occasional concerts and markets, but just meandering through the picturesque gardens is a delightful experience. My first visit was back in 2010, a time when the house was not yet open for public tours.
Check out my previous visits:
