The Villa of Wonders

We are in Florence, near the Via di Bellosguardo: one of the most scenic areas of the city, which is characterised by cobblestone streets and centuries-old trees. Set in the heart of the Boschetto Gardens within the historic Villa Strozzi’s historic park, Villa Lo Strozzino was built in the 15th century as a gift to one of the sons of the eponymous Strozzi, one of Florence’s noble families, on the occasion of his marriage. According to the archives stored at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the villa was designed by Il Cronaca (the renowned Florentine architect Simone del Pollaiolo), with the later addition of exquisite arches attributed to the celebrated stage designer Buontalenti who was a favoured architect of the Medici in the 16th century.