Tuscany, Pistoia, Pistoia, Italy

Villa il Merlo is a historic mansion whose construction was completed around 1750, elegantly lying on the Pistoia hills surrounded by hectares of woods, rows of cypresses and olive groves. The name comes from the locality Merlo, due to the permanent presence of the turdus merula. The light façade, the stone pediment and the framing of the string courses, in their simplicity, allow one to perceive a refined, harmonious and almost somber taste. The villa, with its landscaped gardens dominates a beautiful panorama that allows one to see, on a clear day, the view of the dome of the Florence's Cathedral and the entire plain closing west of the towers of Serravalle. The villa is completely frescoed with refined mythological scenes and landscapes, interspersed with architectural decorations, always frescoed, which give prominence to the structures. The villa has three floors, two noble floors and one mezzanine, plus a basement that houses the kitchens and the cellars. The four floors are connected by a large staircase and an elevator. This prestigious building is fully intact, having undergone few changes of ownership. Built by Giuseppe Ippoliti, the villa passed to the Settimanni family by inheritance and then was sold only in the last century to the Bini family. In the mid-1960s it was bought by the current owner, who carried out a total restoration in absolute respect of the the architectural and decorative values, then furnishing it with refined period furniture. A small intimate chapel, recalls the vows of Giuseppe Ippoliti, promoter of the construction of the villa, who was appointed bishop of Cortona and later of Prato and Pistoia. The villa has an internal surface of about 1500 square meters, 8 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Next to the villa there is also a large restored farmhouse ideal for hosting guests or used as staff quarters. A vineyard of about 3.5 hectares is also available