Villa Agape, formerly Villa Arrighetti
The origins of Villa Agape are lost in the history. In fact the building
seems to date back to the Middle Ages, when it was built as a simple country-house.
In 1469 the Villa belonged to Bartolommeo di Matteo,
who gave it to S. Paulo to Pinti Nuns in 1472. Jacopo di Raffaello del Nente
bought it from the Nuns in 1547, and in 1602 he sold it back to
Giuliano di Filippo Arrighetti, and since then Villa took the name of Villa Arrighetti.
From Giuliano's branch, Andrea became Senator to Ferdinando II, and was also a great scholar,
man of letters, academic of Crusca, plus being a friend and follower of Galileo Galilei.
Villa Arrighetti, however, owes its entire and present magnificence to the Duchess Anne
D'Orléans, widow of Amedeo Duke of Aosta, which bought in 1948
from Mrs. Royle Cladyf, daughter of George Macleam,
and she adorned it with gardens, statues and fountains.
In a large area located between this Villa and Via Torre del Gallo, whic runs along the property,
there is an abundance of green. Here there are two amazing magnolia trees that,
together with the jasmin, covers the whole boundary wall, making the air sweet
and scented. This landscape offers the visitors a delightful and attractive view.
In 1968 the Duchess Anne D'Orléans, was determined to leave Florence. As she
wanted her Villa to be returned a religious community, she turned to
the Right Reverend Father Vittorino Aldinucci to ask an advise.
He was, at that rime, Abbot of San Miniato al Monte, the church where she
used to attend the Holy Mass, every Sunday. The Abbot suggested her directy
the Stabilite nella Carità Sisters.
So in that year Villa Arrighetti became the new house of the Stabilite nella
Carità Sisters, and place for spiritual exercises, conferences, meeting,
studying days, short or long periods to rest in solitude for physical
and spiritual relaxing.
The nuns renamed the Villa in Villa Agape, from the Greek word meaning
"banquet".
The sisters remained there until 2014, and 2015 Villa Agape, with a
new management, has become a wonderful hotel in the hills of Florence,
thanks to a big renewal oto its halls and rooms.
The rooms are now all equipped with an independent air conditioning system,
free high-speed internet connection via wifi, and an elegant furniture designed
with care. Visit the webpage
of the rooms of Villa Agape.
To contact us for any information please use the form on the following page:
Write us
Check room availability and book at the best price guaranteed directly on our website:
Book online at the best price
The Arrighetti family crest.
The Savoia-D'Aosta family crest.
The Borbone-D'Orléans family crest.