On the Pisan Hills there are several beautiful manors and historical villas, owned in the past by important families of Livorno and Pisa. A perfect example is this elagant manor house on the top of a hill, reachable through an avenue of cypresses, which was built in the second half of the XVIII century by the Silvestri, a family of Livorno. In 1806 the villa was restored and modified adding also a private chapel.
Around the 1830, owners of the villa was Domenico Castelli, a
rich burgher from Livorno, who owned several properties around the area and was famous for having increased the production of silk. When he died the villa was inherited by his son Aristide, who never got married and dedicated the rest of his life celebrating the memory of his parents. The villa enjoys a superb elevated position with great views of the Pisan hills. The elegant mansion has been perfectly restored to provide a sumptuous, well equipped family home with well proportioned reception rooms , preserving all the original elegant frescoes. The villa has a T shape and the
main facade appears in all its grandeur at the end of the avenue of cypress. From the tower in the attic with arched windows one can enjoy a panorama
ranging from the Pisan Hills to Livorno, and Pisa with the famous Tower. On the ground floor the impressive reception hall has important frescoes, giving access to fours spacious sitting rooms, all with arched ceilings, frescoes and cotto floors. the central hall is connected with an arch to a large dining room with oak panelled ceiling, connecting to a second dining room and to a living room. On the ground floor there is also a private chapel, a spacious kitchen with fit-in furniture and 2 bathrooms. On the first floor there is an opulent central sitting room which has a double volume decorated with a cycle of works dedicated to ancient heroes, by maestro Luigi Ademollo, very active in Tuscany where he frescoed palaces, villas and churches. The brightness of the first floor is extraordinary, any time and in any season, thanks to the large terrace of the main façade that looks over the driveway, and
the large balconies facing north and south. On the first floor there are also a study, a bedroom, 2 bathrooms and a masterbedroom with bathroom.
On the second floor there are 5 bedrooms and with en-suite bathrom. The top floor is used as a storage. The total surface of the villa is 1800 sqm and is perfectly restored. Classe energetica G, 323,67 kW/mq annuo
The Area:
Beside the traditional artistic treasures preserved in the surroundings of this city of international fame, the Pisa province also offers a full range of unique experiences in small locations scattered around the countryside. Villages or cities such as San Miniato, Palaia, La Rotta, Peccioli, Laiatico, Terricciola, Lari, Crespina, Fauglia, Lorenzana, Casciana Terme and Chianti, which one comes across on the wine trail of the hills of Pisa. This is an ideal itinerary best followed not by car, but using more environmentally friendly means of transport.
The wine trails clearly show visitors where to find a good welcome and accommodation, often in farm holidays establishments. They supply information services and guarantee that the adhering establishments comply with precise quality standards. The unique factor of the wine trails is that they are available to the visitor during all seasons. Each time different treasures can be found, but most of all one can establish different types of connections with wine: visiting a vineyard or a cellar, enjoying a local dish, sampling a good wine or attending a cultural event. (from http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/site/en/itineraries/The-Pisan-hills/)
