Renting in a medieval tower, Villa del Torre (Bagno a Ripoli), the Knights Hospitaller and Victorian English Poets
- salli443
- Mar 4
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 4
Today, we had to call a real estate agent to help facilitate a life in Italy that can still be enjoyable, without the constant interruptions of flash floods and the relentless construction noise next door. Even the workmen's car horns make it impossible to sleep in, as they request site access at 7:30 AM outside the gate. Add to that the many bonfires they make and the home owner's overly sensitive cinghiale alarm, which even the wild boar are no longer bothered by. "Non va bene," it’s not good. But, on the bright side, we might have found a solution, and one that is €2000 cheaper per month than our current beautiful lemonary 'limonaia' villa rental, because it is a tad further away from central Florence. 😊
Welcome to the exquisite and historically fascinating Villa del Torre, in Bagno a Ripoli ±
Formerly owned by the prominent Figni, Passerini and Peruzzi families, the depth of history here in this one gated community, is incredible!
Dominant and striking gated elegance, with a handful of austerity thrown in for good measure.
Besides, the estate agent didn't answer our call, so we resorted to WhatsApp, which she replied to but not with the news we wanted to hear. Apparently, the American couple living in the stunning apartment at Villa del Torre wish to move out but have not yet given written notice for vacating the property, so we are not allowed to see this comfortable apartment yet. Instead, we looked at a much smaller one there for now, but with only one main long room and a shoe box kitchen and windowless bathroom, it definitely wasn't for us... Least not until I'm a widowed wrinkly nonna, living alone! #goals
I even found a YT advert for its sale from five years ago, though I think it's been refurnished since this.
As for the gorgeous lemonary we rent, from the minute the visiting Greek owner next door started with his mammoth renovation project last summer, living here has had lots of good days, with many days completely destroyed by the relentless drilling, banging, beeping, shouting and general pandemonium, making it more like a Tuscan scream than dream. In fact, we may as well pitch camp on his building site, or so it seems, with the endless noise and heavy bonfire fumes. We are now six months in and totally done with it – ready to find peace elsewhere. When he has finished his main redevelopment, he said he is putting in a tennis court and a pool too, can't he just join a gym lol?
(BTW To find a new rental we look on immobiliare.it and idealista.it and other similar real estate websites)
Here is the six pear coat of arms of the Peruzzi family.
For sure we are hoping to secure a beautiful apartment here at some point where we can hopefully enjoy equally precious views over the "ulivati e vigneti" the Tuscan olive groves and vineyards. It also seems far enough away for us not to be smoked out by olive tree fires all winter, and not too far from the buzzing centre of Florence, though a longer walk than the lemonary. I think the A1 road isn't too far away, albeit adequately set back enough not to be bothered by it.
A brief history of the ownership of the building according to Wikipedia: -
The Peruzzi family kept the building until 1901. Emilia Toscanelli was the widow of Ubaldino Peruzzi, who had been a prominent statesman and had lived and died in the tower, passed away in 1891. She was born to two rich bourgeois families in her father's palace on the Lungarno in Pisa. Her father Giovanni Battista belonged to a rich entrepreneurial family; her mother, noblewoman Angiola, dated back to the Cipriani family who had possessions in Corsica and were cousins of Napoleon Bonaparte. She left no heirs.
Following this, the tower was purchased by Robert Barrett Browning (1849-1912), son of the famous English poets Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. He had the tower restored, elevating it and adding to its structure.
Read more about these two talented British poets and famous lovers, here: - The Letters of Robert Browning and Eliza Is the Crypt mentioned in this letter to Eliza the one in this beautiful Italian mansion of a building they acquired?
Robert Browning (7 May 1812 – 12 December 1889) was an English poet and playwright whose dramatic monologues put him high among the Victorian poets. He was noted for irony, characterization, dark humour, social commentary, historical settings and challenging vocabulary and syntax. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (née Moulton-Barrett; 6 March 1806 – 29 June 1861) was an English poet of the Victorian era, popular in Britain and the United States during her lifetime and frequently anthologised after her death. Her work received renewed attention following the feminist scholarship of the 1970s and 1980s, and greater recognition of women writers in English.
In 1917, the commendator Pio Figna acquired the property, making further alterations and restoring the seventeenth-century chapel dedicated to San Filippo Neri, whose crypt housed many members of the Peruzzi family. Today, the villa, chapel, and crypt are divided and serve residential purposes to several tenants, hopefully including us one day. If we don't get it, it won't be through not trying. Can you imagine owning all of it, what a chore!
Peruzzi family as a powerful banking family had connections with the Knights Hospitallers that gained them important local leverage in Rhodes, the economic capital of the Aegean and a transshipping port for silks, drugs, spices and luxuries from the East. Trade beyond Italy required agents and instruments of credit, extending the family business beyond its extended membership into an international network.
The Hospitallers were at the outset a healing brotherhood as opposed to the Templars which was purely military. Long before the advent of modern medicine, the medieval Order of the Knights Hospitaller was responsible for some of the most gruesome tasks. They carried out surgeries, cared for the sick, and even attempted to treat lepers. Despite being a military order, their vows were centred around tending to the wounded and ailing. After all, they were known as the Knights of the Hospital.
The Del Figna and Peruzzi families were notable in the historical context of medieval Florence, each leaving a significant imprint on the city's social, political, and economic landscape. The Del Figna family, which originated in the rural areas surrounding Florence, was part of the elite merchant class that helped shape the city's wealth. Over time, they built alliances with other powerful families, contributing to the political maneuverings that defined Florence’s Renaissance era. Known for their mercantile acumen and influence in local governance, the Del Figna were involved in both the banking sector and the city’s intricate political scene, including supporting the factions that competed for control during the turbulent years of the 13th and 14th centuries.
On the other hand, the Peruzzi family, one of the most influential and wealthy banking families of Florence, played a pivotal role in the economic growth of the city. Their wealth, generated through banking and international trade, helped them secure high political positions and significant power during the 13th century. The Peruzzi bank, founded by members of the family, became one of the largest financial institutions of the time, with branches across Europe. The family's influence extended beyond business, as they played a critical role in the political struggles of Florence, including their support for the Guelph faction during the conflicts between Guelphs and Ghibellines. The Peruzzi's financial prowess and political involvement made them key figures in the complex dynamics of Renaissance Florence.
The Peruzzi Chapel is the second chapel to the right of the choir in the basilica of Santa Croce a Florence. Contains a cycle of dry paintings on the wall of Giotto, datable to 1318-1322 about and dedicated to Saints John the Evangelist and John the Baptist.
I can imagine in the summer it's full of life and activity here, especially around the pool which looks big and inviting enough for me to go daily for a sporty fix. There are picnic tables too, so plenty of shared space and corners to retreat in
If we don't get it, at least we know of it now and can dive into the exciting history of these prominent families, discovering more of the trials, tales and tribulations that these incredibly talented people to contribute to the ideas and achievements of classical antiquity. There's probably so many stories about this incredible villa and its inhabitants throughout time, as well as the surrounding farmland and the town of Bagno a Ripoli and other classic buildings of substantial historical interest nearby. Love this stuff! Love, love, love it!
I'll let you know if they accept us into this Figni, Passerini and Peruzzi world. If it doesn't happen it wasn't meant to (though I'll be mildly miffed for a day).
The idea of living here is nothing to do with self importance or pomp, it is purely the magic of being in a place of such immense stature in history. The wars that went on, the international trading, the innovations and inventions, the rise of the Medicis to follow, the exploration of new continents, the growth of commerce... Everything our modern society is based on.
Many Italian families have deep genealogical roots that span centuries. Recognising these families can help preserve the social history of Italy. Acknowledging the Peruzzi, Figni, and Passerini families ensures the preservation of Italian history and heritage globally. The roles these family members played has helped future generations to better understand the historical context in which Italy developed politically, economically, and culturally.
Each family, in its own way, represents different facets of Italian life, whether in finance, art, governance, or culture. Their recognition allows for a deeper connection to Italy’s rich and complex history and one which I would love to immerse myself in, even if just for a short term let, please.
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