Villa Capponi, Renaissance villa in Arcetri, Florence, Italy.
Villa Capponi is a Renaissance residence built on multiple terraced levels along the Pian dei Giullari hillside in Florence, with sweeping views across the city and surrounding farmland. The structure spans several elevation changes, creating different spaces that take advantage of the landscape's natural slopes.
Built in the 14th century as a country palace with a defensive tower, the residence served as a fortified home for a wealthy family. The Capponi family purchased the property in 1572 and transformed it into a noble estate, carrying out significant renovations and expansions.
The garden displays formal geometric patterns with boxwood hedges and a stone lily pool that reflect traditional Italian garden design. Older plantings shade the terraces and show how generations of residents shaped this space over centuries.
The grounds are accessible through several sets of steps and require some walking to explore all levels and reach the different viewpoints scattered across the property. Comfortable footwear is advisable since the paths can be uneven and elevation changes are noticeable throughout.
A century-old wisteria plant drapes the northern terrace and creates a striking display during its springtime bloom. At the highest point of the property sits a 14th-century dovecote that many visitors overlook, yet it reveals much about the estate's practical farming operations from centuries past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
