Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati

Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati is a villa in Sesto Fiorentino with a large red entrance door and decorated niches containing dog statues. The property includes formal gardens with intersecting paths running through manicured lawns.

The estate was purchased in 1502 by Simone di Jacopo Corsi and underwent major renovation in the 17th century under architects Gherardo Silvani and Baccio del Bianco. These transformations shaped the structure that visitors see today.

The garden reveals how Italian garden design changed over three centuries through its layout. You can see geometric patterns from the Renaissance period alongside curved pathways that reflect later English influences.

The villa can only be visited by prior arrangement, so planning ahead is important. Wear appropriate footwear since you will walk through gardens and across the grounds.

The grounds contain a specialized bird-catching area called ragnaia built between 1751 and 1752, which reveals a practical use beyond typical garden design. This feature demonstrates how the estate served purposes beyond ornamental display.