Villa Ginori-Lisci

Villa Ginori-Lisci is an elegant private residence in La Piaggetta, Massarosa, along the banks of a picturesque canal overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli. The unspoiled nature, the enchantment of the lake, and the sounds and colors made this place so beloved by the great composer Giacomo Puccini, who loved to spend his free time here, especially hunting in the company of Marquis Carlo Benedetto Ginori-Lisci, owner of the villa, the lake, and the surrounding lands.

Villa Ginori Lisci in Massaciuccoli, in a park of palm trees and other aquatic plants. The building is in neo-Gothic style, made of red brick with mullioned windows and white marble decorations.

CONTACTS

STREET ADDRESS: Via della Piaggetta, 863, Quiesa - Massarosa

PHONE: 0584 93277

EMAIL: info@lapiaggetta.com

WEBSITE: www.lapiaggetta.com

In 1887, by will of the Marquis, work began to transform what was an old farmhouse-warehouse, located on the banks of the Massaciuccoli, into the grandiose villa in Renaissance style. neo-Gothic Tuscan villa we can admire today. The old building was covered in red brick and embellished with mullioned windows and white marble columns. A tower was built and a large loggia-veranda was opened, resting on imposing vaults that descend into the canal, offering a marvelous view of the lake.

The villa is surrounded by a large park-garden with exotic plants and trees, according to the wishes of the Marquis Ginori-Lisci, a great botany enthusiast. During his travels to distant lands, he had collected plants of all kinds, particularly from Latin America, the tropics, and the Orient. Splendid palm trees line the access canal to the estate, their green foliage seemingly blending with the lake's waters.

Inside, the villa retains its original period furnishings, including fine furniture and luxurious chandeliers. The landscape of the lake and the surrounding countryside is immortalized in the paintings and decorations by Francesco Fanelli, which adorn the covered loggia, the entrance hall, and the billiard room, where lively cultural gatherings among the Marquis's guests—nobles, artists, and intellectuals—once took place.

Giacomo Puccini arrived directly with his motorboat, coming from the other side of the lake, where he lived: the marquis had a private marina built under the vaults of the loggia, still in use today, from which he could set off with friends and family for hunting trips on the lake.

The Master also loved walking in the large exotic garden and relaxing in the peace and quiet of nature, an inexhaustible source of inspiration for his art.

The bond with the Marquis' family was very close, so much so that in 1895 he dedicated the first edition of the score to Carlo. La Bohème, to his wife Anna the lyric “Avanti Urania!”, written on the occasion of the launch of his motorboat Urania in 1896, to his daughter Bianca Maria, who loved music and played the piano, the composer often wrote, asking her opinions on his new works or telling her about his activity as a musician around the world.

Today, the area boasts a welcoming bed and breakfast, welcoming guests in the oldest part of the estate, right next to the villa. This is an opportunity to spend several days here and experience the same atmosphere experienced by its illustrious residents and celebrated visitors. During the summer, the garden and villa host events and guided tours.