Description

Villa Ghiaia is situated in a splendid hilly position in northern Tuscany, on the way from Lucca to Camaiore on the Versilian Riviera. The property is extending over 90 ha land; here are situated the owner's villa and 3 farmhouses, each with private swimming pool. Within one farmhouse are accommodated 4 apartments, whereas the other two, are independent farmhouses. Every house/apartment has its own outside space with table and chairs for outside eating. The accommodations have been carefully restored, using traditional, local materials in order to maintain the old atmosphere.

History

The main villa dates back to the end of the 14th century as country lodge of the Bonvisi family and was later, during the various epochs, extended until reaching at the beginning of the 19th century the actual architectonic structure. Still evident the 18th century paintings and frescoes that one can admire in the halls. 
The Bonvisi family was a rich and powerful banker family from Lucca that over the centuries was taking care of the pope's interests in the England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. 

The area where the villa is standing, as well as the whole property, are part of a vast territory that, at the peak of the Bonvisi's power, included also three other important villas, existing even today.
Because of the religious split that took place in England under the reign of Henry VIII, many banks were suffering financial difficulties, because they couldn't count anymore on the English "collections". 
Therefore the financial crack obliged the Bonvisi like other banking families connected with the pope in Rome to sell their possessions like Villa Ghiaia. After several owner changes, the villa and the land were purchased by a rich, renowned family from Lucca, the "Carli Family" who has been the owner for more than 200 years.

The present owners, Clotilde and Giovanna Carli are direct descendants of one ancestor, cited around 1260 in Vasari's chronicle. 
He mentioned the family as "very capable and important traders of gold, jewels and silk" ("valentissimo et importantissimo commerciante de li ori, gemme e sete saracine"). 
Even today in Luccas most important shopping street the Via Fillungo, it is possible to visit and to admire the antique jeweller's shop carrying the name of the antique descendants.
Outside of the boundary walls, adjoining the main villa, there is the private chapel, built around 1600. 
In 2002 the chapel was entirely restored, bringing it back to its antique splendour. 

The antique internal and external paintings of the holy parameters as well as the altar, all dating back to the 17th century, were completely recovered.
Part of the chapel is also a beautiful painting, reproducing "The Holy Family" belonging to the 15th century school and quite similar to the layout of the famous "Holy Family" of the famous Florentine 13th century painter Andrea del Sarto.
The painting behind the altar is a true copy of the original. Besides a marvellous stay at Villa Ghiaia it is also possible to organize anything possible for a ceremony (cocktails, buffets, dinners etc.), the flower arrangement of the chapel, organization of the minimum details (chorus, musical accompaniment etc.), any type of exclusive personalization. 

A holiday at Villa Ghiaia offers also the opportunity to get to know Lucca (15 km), the fascinating places in Versilia (20 km) such as Viareggio, Lido di Camaiore, Marina di Pietrasanta or Forte dei Marmi. Other Tuscan places like Pisa (30 km), Pistoia, Florence and the Chianti region can be easily reached for a daily trip. On the spot, there are trekking routes that can be followed on foot or by bike. Upon request it is possible to book a cook, wine and olive oil tasting, cultural events (Puccini Festival etc.), beauty treatments, guided visits to designer outlets, shuttle service, a helicopter (heliport on spot) etc.

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