Villa La Foce, Renaissance villa with formal gardens in Chianciano Terme, Italy
Villa La Foce is a Renaissance villa with formal gardens nestled in the Tuscan countryside, stretching across multiple levels of the hillside. The property features symmetrical beds and geometrically shaped boxwood hedges that work with the natural slope of the land.
The building started as an inn in the 15th century before Antonio and Iris Origo purchased it in 1924 and transformed it into a private residence. British landscape architect Cecil Pinsent designed the gardens as they appear today between 1927 and 1939.
The villa served as home to writer Iris Origo, whose literary work left a mark on the region. Her presence shaped how the gardens were designed and how visitors experience the place today.
Plan your visit in advance, as the gardens are open only at specific times and guided tours are required for entry. Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds have uneven terrain and require walking up and down multiple levels.
The gardens are divided into three separate sections arranged at different elevations and include octagonal flower beds designed by Cecil Pinsent. This unusual layout makes the property a rare example of English garden design applied to an Italian hillside setting.
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