RARE VILLA BUILT AND INHABITED BY MEDICI FAMILY 

Villa Medicea in Arena Pisana (today Arena Metato) is one of the few villas, in the province of Pisa, built and inhabited directly by the Medici family of Florence. It was commissioned by Giulio de’ Medici, grand nephew of Lorenzo Il Magnifico, in the second half of the 16th century as personal residence when he was appointed, by his uncle Cosimo de’ Medici, First Admiral of the Medicean Fleet and also one of the founders of the Knight Order of Santo Stefano.

The property, today under the protection of the Belle Arti, was bought in the 70’s by the present owners who have lovingly restored it to the antique splendor after decades of neglect. Most of the pavements are in cotto fiorentino, the ceilings features few frescoes and oak beams; all bathrooms and frames are new, such as plumbing and electric systems. The heating system is divided into four independent areas each with a separate boiler. In 1995 the roof has been completely redone and new copper gutter pipes replaced the old ones.

The Villa is a large construction of approximately 1.500 m² of living space on two floors with spacious cellars and two square towers on each side of the building. The rectangular plant features a façade of 40 meters wide and 20 meters deep. Facing south west, the tower of Pisa can be made out on the horizon. The various windows of the two floors are decorated with typical Florentine style serena stone pilasters, with a large Carrara marble Medicean coat of arms above the main front door. The villa enjoys great panoramic views of the Apuan Alps and the mountains of Pisa, where various families of the Tuscan nobility have built their residences.

A completely fenced park of 7.000 m² with holm-oaks, pine trees, fruit trees and magnolias surrounds the villa.

Built in 1500.