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| |  | Overview of Villa Pitiana |  |
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Via Provinciale per Tosi 7 - Donnini, Firenze, 50060
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 Villa Pitiana is situated at 430m above sea level and its imposing structure divides the last olive groves of Valdarno from the centuries-old trees of the Vallombrosa. On 3rd July 1039 the Abbess Itta of the convent of S. Ellero donated the land in Vallombrosa to S. Giovanni Gualberto but to maintain them had to add a farm with vegetable garden and vines in Pitiana. In the two subsequent centuries, following various purchases and donations, including that of Matilde di Canossa, the Vallombrosa Abbey came to possess almost all the land between Pratomagno and the Arno river. Pitiana, an old curtis dominica located on the site of today's villa, became one of the four administrative centres of this area. |
 Due to population increase and the resulting increase in agricultural production, the military role (until 1000 fulfilled by castles) fell to the large fortified farms, as demonstrated by the increasing number of feudal strongholds in Florentine territory which between the 11th and 13th centuries increased from 52 to 205. Halfway through the 13th century Pitiana's strategic position made it a bone of contention in the Florentine Guelph-Ghibelline struggles. At the time the fortified farms were well-researched architecturally, not the fruit of experience or of the sort of improvisation suitable for farmhouses: the villa reflected the status and wealth of the proprietor, and designs or restorations were entrusted to the best architects and engineers. |
 The oldest part of Villa Pitiana, dating back to the 14th century, is certainly a "casa da signore" as these fortified buildings were called, characterised by the presence of a high tower not unlike the tower-houses of S. Gimignano. This is the part of the villa on your left as you stand with your back to the valley. Pitiana is built in filaretto, a building technique known in French as petit appareil, consisting of rows of little exposed ashlars. The structure includes a massive rectangular tower and two courtyards, the smaller one joining the 19th century part of the building and the other linked to the first by an arched passage, with a portico running along two sides. |
 Later in the 19th century Villa Pitiana must have passed into the possession of the Grottanelli because it is mentioned by this name in many old maps. Several large Impruneta terracotta jars from this period can still be seen in the larger courtyard and at one time held oil: one of them bears the date 1840; three are the work of Giovanni Vani, one by F.D.S. Nistri and one is signed F.S.N. At the end of the 19th century the Pitiana farm was definitively transformed into a villa with its splendid facade, although the rear part continued until recent times to be a working farm. |
 The new part is, architecturally speaking, still in the academic style of Renaissance origin influenced by the work designed and carried out in Florence by Giuseppe Poggi towards 1865-70. This conventional style, much admired by the ideologically conservative Tuscan farm property-owning class, was to last for some time, so it is no surprise to find it here applied in 1897 (the date on the lintel of the left door of the entrance hall).
The five rooms of the ground floor and those above are neo-Renaissance in style, as is the splendid staircase. But during the same period, Liberty style was widespread and the pictorial decorations in the reception rooms, almost in contrast with the architecture, already show themselves to be influenced by the new style. The English-style gardens are late 19th century as are the three gates (the left one has been walled up). The central access is decorated with terracotta eagles and the one leading to the farm with crouching lions. At the beginning of the twentieth century the railway from S. Ellero to Saltino passed near to Villa Pitiana and the station still remains today. In 1931 other work was carried out although it is difficult to judge its extent (recorded in writing on the right portal of the entrance hall): it was probably the conclusion of work begun in 1897, with the restoration of medieval parts and interior modifications. |
Facilities: |  Swimming Pool | Guided Tours | | Congresses & Meetings | Banquets | | Mountain Bike Rentals | Child Friendly | | Horseback Riding | Parking | | Concierge Service | Cooking Courses | | Children's Pool | |
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