San Michele Villa Florence
Nestled on the green Fiesole hills, Villa San Michele boasts an impressive view of the magnetic city of Florence and the Chianti hills.
Blending 14th century artistic flair with the region’s ethereal beauty, the Villa is as inspiring as the city’s greatest cathedrals and galleries. The facade, attributed to Michelangelo, is hugged by lush woodland and terraced gardens.
The Medicis built their villas here, and Renaissance artist and Dominican friar Fra Angelico took his vows among these hills. In 1506 Leonardo da Vinci first demonstrated his flying machine from Montececeri Park, a short journey from the Villa’s front door.
It was about this time that a community of Franciscan monks first laid the foundations for what would later become Villa San Michele. Today, within its warren of rooms and corridors, vaulted ceilings and worn terracotta floors count among its charming original features.
The hotel’s 46 guestrooms and suites—including the private 3-bedroom Limonaia Villa—have a fittingly serene feel with antique furnishings and old master paintings. The villa’s former monastic residents may have been surprised to see its Carrara marble bathrooms and modern luxuries, however.
Step outside and relax in the Italian gardens, tinged with the scent of orange blossom and rose. One of the resident expert gardeners will show you around. Spot the 300-year old wisteria which, come spring, swathes the lawn-facing facade in purple. Take a dip in the pool perched on the hillside or enjoy an al fresco massage, each while taking in breathtaking views of the Arno Valley.
Enjoy seasonal Tuscan dishes at sunset and join one of the many activities arranged here to have an unforgettable taste experience.
The light over the Arno Valley is captivating at any time of day. Seal your love beneath soft pink skies, overlooking the maze of Florentine streets below. Exchange vows beneath the shade of fragrant lemon trees in the sun-dappled gardens, or marry within our 15th-century arched facade while a fiery amber sun sets outside. A wedding at the Villa evokes a Renaissance-style romance that’s impossible to forget.
