Villa Le Falle, Historic villa in Compiobbi, Fiesole, Italy

Villa Le Falle is a residence in Compiobbi near Fiesole featuring mirrored double loggias on opposite facades that create a gradual transition between the building and surrounding gardens. A neo-medieval gate marks the entrance, opening onto castle-like architecture with cypress-lined paths running throughout the property.

The property incorporates remnants of a medieval structure from the 13th or 14th century, with a northern window surviving as evidence of this earlier phase. The present form developed in the 19th century when Enrico Danti redesigned the grounds as an English-style garden with intentional medieval references.

The northern woodland, called Ragnaia, was turned into an English-style park from 1816 by the Danti family, working from a design by stage designer Giovanni Gianni; the works lasted almost 50 years. Its winding paths, holm oaks, cypresses and pines frame mock ruins such as the Usciolo gate, built to look older than they are, plus the Porta Letizia, a bell tower without bells and a 25-metre round tower.

Access passes through the neo-medieval gate and continues via cypress-lined paths through the gardens. Wear sturdy shoes, as terrain is uneven and paths wind through thick vegetation that can be narrow in places.

The Torre tonda at the centre of the Ragnaia is 25 metres high and was built to look like an old watchtower. The Danti family began the English park in 1816, working for almost 50 years to a scheme attributed to the scenographer Giovanni Gianni.