Villa di Poggio Gherardo, Renaissance villa on Coverciano hill in Fiesole, Italy
Villa di Poggio Gherardo is a Renaissance villa on Coverciano hill in Fiesole, built with a fortified structure including a tower, crenellated walls, and bastions. The estate appears like a small fortress, surrounded by these defensive features that protect the grounds and make it stand out on the slope.
The estate changed hands several times, passing from the Mancini through the Albizzi families to the Gherardi, who owned it for four centuries. In the late 1800s, new owners took over and altered the purpose of the place significantly.
The name comes from the Gherardi family, who shaped the property for generations and left their mark on its design. The rooms reflect a period when art-loving residents gathered here and turned it into a hub for intellectual exchange.
The site is accessed through an ornate 19th-century iron gate and now serves as a religious institution. Visitors should know this remains an active facility, so visiting hours may be limited or require permission.
The entrance hall still preserves original columns and ceilings, while the Gherardi family coat of arms remains visible on the facade. These details show how deeply the family embedded its identity into the architecture.
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