Bagno a Ripoli, Florence, Tuscany, Italy

HISTORIC ANCIENT VILLA, an ancient 14th-century estate with agricultural outbuildings, a rural building, and a family chapel, also known as Villa L'Antella, is situated on a hill overlooking the narrow valley of the Isone stream. Thanks to its privileged position, it offers a panoramic view extending to Ponte a Niccheri and the Rio Rimezzano valley.

The architectural complex is located just 4 km from the Florence South exit of the A1 motorway, 1 km from Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, 1 km from the Ponte a Ema Carabinieri station, 14 km from the central train station, and 12 km from the Campo di Marte station.

The villa, of significant historical interest, along with its annexes, was purchased by a renowned engineer.The estate, once spanning 240 hectares, included three villas and twenty-five farms. Equipped with modern facilities, it was transformed into an example of agricultural innovation. . Since then, much of the land has been sold off, and the villa has experienced partial abandonment. Although the agricultural business continues to operate using the annexes, the residential part has fallen into disuse, and in the early 1980s, it was emptied of its furnishings."

The villa's main access once passed through an imposing monumental gate located in front of Ponte all'Asse, in the Alberi di Sotto Area. A charming avenue lined with holm oaks led to the residence, although this historic path is now interrupted by the Autostrada del Sole.

The complex is immersed in a lush landscape, surrounded by centuries-old magnolias, holm oaks, and horse chestnuts, remnants of the 19th-century garden layout. Within the walled enclosure surrounding the garden, there are several remarkable structures: a family chapel, the caretaker's residence, a greenhouse-limonaia, a gazebo, as well as ornamental fountains and pools.

The villa's main facade stands out for its distinctive neo-medieval style, a result of 19th-century renovations. Exposed stone walls, a battlemented tower, chimneys, and coats of arms in stone and plaster give the villa a romantic and historic appearance. The other facades are simpler, showing signs of later expansions, with windows that punctuate the rhythm of the architecture.

The estate is divided into two areas: the main residence, located in the eastern part and spread over two levels, and the western part, which houses the agricultural outbuildings on the ground floor and in the basements, including the wine cellar, storerooms, and garages. The ground floor of the main residence features vaulted ceilings, a hall with a coffered ceiling, terracotta floors, and pietra serena stone portals. The upper floor has rooms with coffered ceilings.

An aqueduct easement is in place, and the permitted uses for the property include residential, tourist accommodation, office, service, and public interest functions.