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Villa La Pietra: A Renaissance Jewel in Florence

Explore Villa La Pietra, a historic Renaissance villa and garden in Florence, now home to NYU, featuring stunning art and landscape design.

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Villa La Pietra, nestled in the Florentine hills, is a stunning Renaissance villa and garden now owned by New York University. Once the home of the Acton family, it boasts a rich history, exquisite art collection, and meticulously designed Italian gardens, offering visitors a glimpse into Anglo-American taste and Florentine history.

A brief summary to Villa La Pietra

Local tips

  • Book guided tours in advance, as they are required for visiting the villa and gardens.
  • Check the NYU Florence website for the latest tour schedules and special events.
  • Consider visiting during the spring or fall for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
  • Take bus line 25 from the city center for convenient access to Villa La Pietra.
  • Explore the gardens at a leisurely pace to fully appreciate the statues, fountains, and diverse plant life.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Florence city center (e.g., Santa Maria Novella train station), take the Autolinee Toscane bus line 25. The bus runs from Piazza della Libertà and stops at "La Pietra 1", just beyond the villa's gate. A single bus ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 90 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at newsstands, Tabacchi stores, or via the Autolinee Toscane app.

  • Taxi

    From Florence city center, a taxi ride to Villa La Pietra takes approximately 4 minutes and costs between €8 and €11. Taxis can be found at taxi stands or booked by calling 055-4390 or 055-4242. Keep in mind that taxi fares may vary depending on the time of day and traffic conditions.

  • Walking

    For those who enjoy a scenic walk, Villa La Pietra is approximately 3.8 km from the city center, a roughly 45-minute walk. A pleasant route is via di Montughi, which passes by the Stibbert Museum. Be aware that the walk involves some uphill sections.

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Discover more about Villa La Pietra

Villa La Pietra, located in the hills outside Florence, is a captivating blend of Renaissance heritage and Anglo-American influence. The villa's name comes from an ancient Roman milestone along Via Bolognese. Its history dates back to the 14th century, with ownership passing through prominent Florentine families like the Macinghi, Sassetti, and Capponi. In the 20th century, the Anglo-American Acton family, particularly Arthur Acton and his wife Hortense Mitchell, shaped the villa's character. Arthur Acton, an art dealer, and Hortense Mitchell, a wealthy heiress, purchased the villa in 1907 and transformed the gardens into a formal Baroque Italian garden. They filled the villa with an art collection reflecting 20th-century Anglo-American taste, including works from Giotto's circle, Romanesque sculptures, and Renaissance tapestries. The gardens feature extensive stonework and nearly two hundred statues. In 1994, Sir Harold Acton bequeathed Villa La Pietra to New York University (NYU). Today, it serves as NYU Florence, an educational hub and cultural institution. The villa hosts guided tours of the collection and gardens, offering insights into its history, art, and landscape design. The meticulously restored gardens showcase terraced parterres, cypress-lined avenues, ornamental fountains, and a sea shell grotto. Villa La Pietra provides a unique experience, blending Renaissance artistry with Anglo-American heritage and academic life.

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