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About the Villa San Michele in Fiesole!

The Villa San Michele a Doccia, situated on the hill of Fiesole is named after the church of St Michael the Archangel.

The original building was a monastery, founded in the early years of the 15th century for the Franciscan monks. The land on which it stood had been donated by a Florentine family, the Davanzatis, who also contributed to the monastery's upkeep by gifts of woodlands, further buildings and money.

The present building, with its facade attributed to Michelangelo and its imposing loggia, dates from 1600 when it was enlarged and completely renovated by Giovanni di Bartolommeo Davanzati.

The monastery remained the property of the Franciscans until 1808 when the monastic orders were dissolved by Napoleon and, in 1817, it returned to secular use.

By this time, many of its most treasured possessions had been dispersed throughout Florence's churches and art galleries.

The triptych in the Academia attributed to Niccolò di Piero Gerini and another above the high altar in the church of Santa Trinità both originally stood in this hilltop sanctuary.

In 1900 the Villa was acquired by Henry White Cannon from New York, who landscaped the gardens, erected large greenhouses and restored the building after the fashion of the Victorians, by adding wrought iron gates and by applying a rust-coloured patina to the walls. He also converted the courtyard into a winter garden by covering it with a roof of glass and iron.

During World War II, the Villa was badly damaged and, in 1950, it was bought by Monsieur Lucien Tessier as a private residence.

He set about restoring the 20 first floor rooms, while living on the second floor, but the cost involved was substantial and, to finance it, he turned the villa in to a hotel for those wanting to visit the nearby art treasures of Florence and the surrounding countryside.

In 1982, Orient-Express Hotels, which already owned the celebrated Hotel Cipriani in Venice bought the Villa San Michele and the surrounding land. Once more a comprehensive restoration of the buildings was embarked upon, this time with the cooperation of the Florence Fine Arts Authority.

Over the past decade great care and expertise has been engaged to refurbish the entire Villa in a style that provides a luxurious environment whilst maintaining the beauty and heritage of this magnificent building.

LOCATION

Formerly a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, the Villa San Michele is surrounded by its own gardens and woodland on the Fiesole hills.

The present aspect of the building, with its façade attributed to Michelangelo and the imposing lateral Loggia looking towards Florence, dates from the year 1600, when the monastery was enlarged and completely renovated at the expense of Giovanni di Bartolomeo Davanzati.

TRANSFERS

The Hotel is located 10 kms. from Florence "Peretola" airport and 90 kms. from Pisa International Airport. It is a 13 minutes drive from the Florence Rail Station of Santa Maria Novella. Access by car is possible via motorway A1, exit: Firenze Sud (8 km).

ACCOMMODATION

There are 46 Guest rooms comprising 21 doubles/twins, 25 junior suites and suites. Most rooms have windows which enjoy views over the Italian garden, the private woodland and hills of Fiesole.

The Junior Suites with private garden and terrace, the Chapel, the "Orangerie" Limonaia Suites and all rooms located above the Loggia enjoy views over the town of Florence and the Arno valley.

All rooms are elegantly furnished and decorated and offer comforts such as air-conditioning and heating, direct dial telephone, mini-bar, color satellite TV, hairdryer, weightscale, only to mention a few.

Check-in time: 2:00 pm - Check-out time: 12:00 am

FACILITIES

Leisure and sport facilities include an open-air 82ft heated swimming pool with spectacular views of Florence from late Spring to early Autumn.

A Gym is available in the Hotel, and massage is possible on request.

The 18 holes Ugolino Golf Course is easily reachable in the Chianti hills, 45 minutes from the Hotel and Tennis and horse riding can be booked at the Cascine.

MEETINGS

The Villa San Michele has good facilities for banquets, cocktails, wedding parties and for small, select seminars, supported by professional secretarial back up.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The city of Florence offers a rich choice of museums and art galleries that house some of the most famous pieces of art in the world.

The center of the Town with its historical points of interest and its beautiful boutiques is easily reachable with the Hotel scheduled shuttle bus.

Daily visits can be arranged to Chianti, the Medici Villas, San Gimignano, Siena and the breathtaking Tuscan countryside.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

The Loggia Terrace Restaurant provides one of the most unique venues in Europe, overlooking Florence and the Arno Valley. In cooler weather, the indoor dining rooms located in the Cloister and the Cenacolo are used. Restaurant and Bar service is also available at the Pool, during summer.

Emphasis is placed on the typical Tuscan cuisine of the region. Home made Pasta, mushrooms and meat are house specialities.

There are three bars: the Terrace Bar with evening piano music until midnight, the Cocktail Bar which is situated in the small cloister of the monastery and the Pool Bar.

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