Royal Villa of Marlia

From medieval fortress to stately residence: the Royal Villa of Marlia enchants with a long and eventful history.

Those who cross the threshold of the splendid estate today embark on a fascinating journey into the past and immerse themselves in the life of Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Napoleon’s sister, among others. In addition, the huge estate offers lovingly tended gardens and other historic buildings to discover.

The Villa Reale is one of the oldest and most luxurious villas in the province of Lucca, if not in all of Tuscany. It was built in the early Middle Ages as a fortress for the Duke of Tuscia and later transformed by the various owners who succeeded one another over time. The building’s current appearance is due to Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi (1777-1820), who bought the old palace in the 19th century and transformed it into an Empire-style royal residence. Even today, the neoclassical facades and sumptuous rooms testify to the estate’s heyday. In the two-story museum, visitors can admire the historic rooms of the nobility, with precious furniture, exquisite frescoes and rich stucco decorations.

Nature and history in harmony

Also a real gem is the vast park surrounding the villa, an extraordinary example of landscape art through the ages. Highlights, in addition to the lake and geometric flowerbeds, include the Camellia Avenue, the green hedge theater, the water feature of the nymphaeum, the Spanish Grotto, and the Clock Palace. The latter houses an exhibition dedicated to the cultural treasures of Countess Anna Laetizia Pecci-Blunt (1885-1971), with a collection that includes mementos, art objects, records, magazines, books, traditional dolls from around the world and more.