The Villa Reale, or Villa Marlia, is one of the many beautiful historic estates located in the Tuscan countryside. There are lots of wonderful villas in the area around Lucca, in particular, and this property in an area called Marlia is especially lovely.
A former royal palace with extensive and stunning gardens, it is filled with surprises around every turn and if you have found a luxury villa in Lucca, it is the perfect place to head off for a day trip.
Exploring the grounds, alone, will take up to two hours and if you want to picnic in the gardens (which we recommend) or visit the villa (although it is currently closed for renovation work), you will need additional time. Off the beaten tourist track and away from intense crowds but full of things to see and do, it is the ideal place to wander at your leisure and truly enjoy your downtime while on holidays.
A former royal palace with extensive and stunning gardens, it is filled with surprises around every turn and if you have found a luxury villa in Lucca, it is the perfect place to head off for a day trip.
Exploring the grounds, alone, will take up to two hours and if you want to picnic in the gardens (which we recommend) or visit the villa (although it is currently closed for renovation work), you will need additional time. Off the beaten tourist track and away from intense crowds but full of things to see and do, it is the ideal place to wander at your leisure and truly enjoy your downtime while on holidays.
When you enter the grounds, you will find a reception where you can purchase tickets and you will receive a map and brochure on the villa. Then you can go ahead and explore the gardens, which were largely shaped by Napoleon's sister, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Princess of Piombino and Lucca and eventually the Grand Duchess of Tuscany, who purchased the villa in 1806. Modifications by successive owners of the estate helped turn the gardens into the treasure chest of surprises that it is today.
Some highlights to keep an eye out for include: the Viale delle Camelie, a series of paths planted with more than thirty types of camellia flowers that bloom in February, March and April; the raised, or ‘hanging', garden and lawn of the Italian-style garden; the Grotta di Pan, with its mysterious sea monsters that is reminiscent of Buontalenti's grotto in the Boboli Gardens; the roses and fountains of the Spanish Garden; the Lemon Garden with its over 200 vases of citrus fruit; and the Teatro d'Acqua, a large semi-circular pool surrounded by waterfalls, with fountains, roses and white, pink and red begonias.
Some highlights to keep an eye out for include: the Viale delle Camelie, a series of paths planted with more than thirty types of camellia flowers that bloom in February, March and April; the raised, or ‘hanging', garden and lawn of the Italian-style garden; the Grotta di Pan, with its mysterious sea monsters that is reminiscent of Buontalenti's grotto in the Boboli Gardens; the roses and fountains of the Spanish Garden; the Lemon Garden with its over 200 vases of citrus fruit; and the Teatro d'Acqua, a large semi-circular pool surrounded by waterfalls, with fountains, roses and white, pink and red begonias.
Come explore this exceptional estate for yourself and fall in love with its incredible beauty the next time you find yourself in this part of Tuscany.
Photo credits
picture 1: PGMedia.it / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: PGMedia.it / CC BY-SA 4.0
picture 1: PGMedia.it / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY 2.5;
picture 3: PGMedia.it / CC BY-SA 4.0
