- This beautiful, historical villa ,fine example of late rennaissance
architecture, was completed in 1615 as verified by the inscription
on the ancient stone archway above the main entrance to the villa,
" BERNARDINUS BERNARDINIUS A.D. MDCXV The main gates give access to
the circular driveway which surrounds the wonderful heart shaped front
lawn bordered by many rare and ornamental trees and shrubs and to
the right of the villa one approaches the old vegetable garden which
was transformed in the mid 17th century into a secret garden which
in turn leads to the Limonaia , the walls of which are carpeted by
the rare ficus repens and where in the entrance stands the great imperial
style bath made from the marble of Carrara.. To the rear of the villa
one finds the open air theatre, undoubtedly the most important part
of the park, realized in boxwood hedgeing and always kept in meticulous
order. The Villa, with it's enchanting gardens and open air theatre
is without doubt one of the most important and interesting of over
400 antique villas in the Lucca countryside. Villa Bernardini has
always remained in the family and the interior was only slightly modified
in the first half of the 17th century on the occasion of the wedding
of Francesco Bernardini to Marianna Parensi. The various rooms (halls,
lounges, dining rooms and bedrooms) are completely furnished with
precious antique furniture, objet d'art, ornaments and paintings from
the 16th, 17th,and 18th century, many were commissioned by Bernardini
( armchairs, high backed chairs and console tables) engraved or painted
with the family coat of arms. The villa and grounds are open for guided
tours for groups of at least 5 persons every day except Monday during
the following hours. Mornings 9.a.m. - 12 a.m. Afternoons 3 p.m.-
6 p.m. Please book in advance. |
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