The beautiful medieval walled city of Lucca in Tuscany boasts lots to see and do and wonderful historic buildings are not in short supply. However, even among all of these incredible buildings and fascinating sights, the picturesque Palazzo Pfanner, with its perfectly landscaped gardens, stands out.
Designed for the wealthy merchant Moricani family, it was built as a demonstration of their wealth and power within the city in 1660.
Unfortunately for the Moriconi family, bankruptcy forced them to sell the building in 1680. The Controni family, silk merchants who had risen to the nobility, bought the palace and extended it and added to it in many different ways.
A monumental staircase was added, presumably on the plans of the Lucca architect Domenico Martinelli and the gardens were altered in the 17th century, likely under Filippo Juvarra.
Designed for the wealthy merchant Moricani family, it was built as a demonstration of their wealth and power within the city in 1660.
Unfortunately for the Moriconi family, bankruptcy forced them to sell the building in 1680. The Controni family, silk merchants who had risen to the nobility, bought the palace and extended it and added to it in many different ways.
A monumental staircase was added, presumably on the plans of the Lucca architect Domenico Martinelli and the gardens were altered in the 17th century, likely under Filippo Juvarra.
The Pfanner family, for whom the palace is named today, came into possession of the Palazzo Pfanner towards the middle of the 19th century. Felix Pfanner, a local brewer from Hörbranz in Austria acquired the entire structure after having set up his brewery there in 1846, a pleasant production site and beer garden located between the garden and the cellars of the Palazzo that sadly closed in 1929.
Today there is still plenty to be seen but the gardens, in particular, are a highlight. It is a perfectly manicured Italian style garden that is wonderful blend of natural and manmade beauty.
Lemon trees, rose bushes, intricately carved statues and gushing fountains line the pathways of Palazzo Pfanner’s garden and its beauty has caught the eye of many filmmakers over the years, having been featured in several famous Italian films, like ‘Marquess of Grillo’ and ‘Portrait of a Lady’.
Today there is still plenty to be seen but the gardens, in particular, are a highlight. It is a perfectly manicured Italian style garden that is wonderful blend of natural and manmade beauty.
Lemon trees, rose bushes, intricately carved statues and gushing fountains line the pathways of Palazzo Pfanner’s garden and its beauty has caught the eye of many filmmakers over the years, having been featured in several famous Italian films, like ‘Marquess of Grillo’ and ‘Portrait of a Lady’.
Palazzo Pfanner is still owned by the Pfanner family and parts of it are open to the public. Just find a luxury villa in Lucca and spend a pleasant afternoon wandering the lovely building and charming gardens.
Photo credits
picture 1: Daderot / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Guerinf / CC BY-SA 4.0 ;
picture 3: Targeman / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Daderot / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Guerinf / CC BY-SA 4.0 ;
picture 3: Targeman / CC BY-SA 3.0
