History.

A noble residence, a refuge for poets and dreamers.

Villa Ginori alla Rata, as we see it today, dates back to 1755. Designed by prominent Florentine architects, it belonged to the Ginori family for much of the 19th century. They sought the villa for its healthy air and cooler summers, escaping the heat of Florence. 

Here, they hosted balls and festivities, produced oil and wine stored in the still-intact cellars, and harvested grain that was stored in the granary—now a magnificent space dedicated to conviviality, honoring the significance of harvests for both nobles and farmers. 

In the 20th century, the villa became a haven for intellectuals, poets, and writers from the Florentine cultural scene. Among them was poet Luigi Fallacara, whose collections we found among the old furnishings and now display in the grand hall. As literature lovers, we’re researching possible visits by Dino Campana, the passionate poet and wanderer, who frequented these Apennine foothills. It’s even rumored that meetings of the magazine Lacerba may have been held here. 

Some visitors, it’s said, reached the villa by bicycle. Local lore claims the village girls were the most beautiful of all. Certainly, the 1730s-era cellars preserved splendid barrels that remain to this day. During WWII, the villa’s walls provided refuge, saving lives during bombings. 

Above all, Villa Ginori has always been a place where people came for the invigorating air, generous feasts, and the simple joys of life—a sanctuary for inspiration, rest, and carefree moments.