I walk by an apartment or condo development with the pretentious name “Villas at Parkside.” These are one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments or condominiums. They are NOT villas. I don’t think the developer has any concept of what a villa is. Or maybe he or she does, but just wants tenants to think they are living in the lap of luxury. By the way, the development is not even beside a park either. So, two strikes for this developer. Let’s see what real villas look like.
According to the Nov. 9, 2020 article “Top 10 Most Beautiful and Famous Villas and Mansions in Italy” in Luxury Architecture, below are some examples.
Villa Rufalo, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Campania
Villa Rufolo is located in the historic center of Ravello. Built in the 13th century by the wealthy Rufolo family, a member of which was cited by Boccaccio in the Decameron, the villa was also the residence of several popes as well as of Charles of Anjou. It offers a stunning panorama over the Amalfi Coast and the Gulf of Salerno.
The German opera composer Richard Wagner was so moved by the beauty of the location that he imagined the setting as Klingsor’s enchanted garden in the second act of Parsifal. As a tribute to this inspiration, every year the lower garden of Villa Rufolo hosts a Wagnerian concert. Wagner said he would never have been able to complete his ultimate masterpiece had he not been inspired by its gripping beauty.
Villa San Michele, Capri
Villa San Michele was built at the end of the 19th century by the Swedish psychiatrist and writer Axel Munthe on the ruins of the Roman Emperor Tiberius‘s villa. It is located between Capri and Anacapri, at the top of the Phoenician steps, which connect the center of Capri with that of Anacapri. The gardens offer panoramic views over Capri town and its marina and the Sorrentine peninsula.
Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Amalfi Coast, Campania
Famous for its “Terrace of Infinity” or Terrazzo dell’Infinito, which offers what Gore Vidal called “the most beautiful view in the world”, Villa Cimbrone and its garden are considered one of the most representative examples of English landscape gardens in Southern Europe.
The aesthetics and harmony of the garden were a source of inspiration for the Bloomsbury Group who often gathered here. Actually, as soon as you enter the garden and walk towards the terrace along the beautiful, central alley, you begin to understand why so many authors found inspiration here.
The temple of Ceres with the statue of Ceres at the end of the picturesque, central alley marks the entrance of the Terrace of the Infinite. Due to its location it also became known as la Porta del Sole or Gate of the Sun.
The villa was built at the beginning of the 19th century in an eclectic style with references to Villa Rufolo and San Francesco. The property now houses a five-star hotel.
Before leaving the property through the beautiful 16th century entrance gate, have a look on your right, at the graceful little cloister in Arabian–Sicilian–Norman style.
Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Lazio
Villa d’Este was built for the son of Lucrezia Borgia, Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, in 1550. Its refined architecture and decoration testify of the splendors of Tivoli in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is one of the most remarkable illustrations of Renaissance culture. The garden, with it fountains, ornamental basins and other decorative elements, is one of the first giardini delle meraviglie, which had a profound influence on the development of garden design throughout Europe.
The plan of the villa is innovative and irregular in design because the architect was obliged to respect the layout of the previous monastic building, a Benedictine convent, on which the villa was built. The design is traditionally attributed to the Neapolitan architect Pirro Ligorio (1500-83), while the works were realized by court architect Alberto Galvani.
Lack of maintenance in the following centuries led to the decay of the complex, but between 1867 and 1882 the villa once again became a cultural point of reference. The musician Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886) composed Giochi d’acqua a Villa d’Este for piano while a guest here and gave one of his final concerts in the villa in 1879.
Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como
Villa del Balbianello is one of the most harmonious examples of a villa with garden, where the beauty lies in the overall effect rather than in each individual detail.
Situated on one of the few promontories of Lake Como, the villa was built for the Milanese cardinal Angelo M. Durini who wanted an isolated site where he could receive his frivolous invitees, but also philosophers and writers.
The garden is unique in its layout, not following any standards of that time, because it had to be adapted to the natural setting. The villa was used as a setting in the James Bond movie “Casino Royale.
Villa Carlotta, Lake Como
Villa Carlotta occupies an admirable site facing the Grigne Massif. It was built in the late 17th century following the canons of the late Lombard Baroque. In the 19th century, the residence was converted into a neo-classical villa.
It houses numerous statues, including a copy by Tadolini of the famous group of “Cupid and Psyche” by Canova, as well as paintings by Hayez and furniture by Magggiolini. The botanical garden contains over 800 different species and varieties.
Villa Medicea at Caffagiolo, Tuscany
Located near the Tuscan town of Barberino di Mugello, north of Florence, the Villa Medicea di Cafaggiolo is one of the oldestand mostfavoredof the Medici family estates, having been in the possession of the family since the 14th century.
The villa was reconstructed following designs of the eminent Renaissance architect Michelozzo in 1452 and became a meeting place for some of the greatest intellectuals of the Italian Renaissance. Although by no means the grandest or largest of the Medici’s many houses, it is situated in the region that was traditionally their homeland, and they spent much of their time here. As a consequence, the villa was the scene of many major evnts in the history of the dynasty, ranging from the reception of Medici future brides to the murder of a Medici wife, strangled by her husband’s hands with a dog-lead.
Villa Torigiani, Capannori (Lucca), Tuscany
Located in the hamlet of Camigliano, this 16th century villa was converted in the 17th century into an elegant summer residence by Marquis Nicolao Santini, ambassador of the Lucca Republic to the Papal Court and to the Court of Louis XIV. The gardens, following the design of the gardens of Versailles by Le Nôtre, are adorned with fountains, grottoes, flowered parterres and huge pools in which the façade could be reflected. The opulent villa stands out from other villas in Lucca and in Tuscany by the multicolored, rococo facade of the main building made of different materials. The villa also contains a private theater.
Villa Aldobrandini
The most famous residence of the area is known as Castelli Romani. The villa was constructed between 1598 and 1604 for Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini and is a wonderful example of Mannerist architecture. The stuccoes and monumental entrance were added more than a century later. The wonderful 16th century frescoes are a remarkable example of the transition from late Mannerism to Baroque.
Villa Mondragone
Villa Mondragone was constructed in 1573 on the site of the remains of an ancient Roman villa and was used as the papal summer residence by various popes until Pope Urban VIII decided to leave Villa Mondragone in favor of the papal residence of Castelgandolfo in 1626.
The villa was the seat of many exceptional acts and transactions. It was at the Villa Mondragone that in 1582, Pope Gregory promulgated the document — the papal bull Inter gravissimas — which initiated the reform of the calendar now in use and known as the Gregorian calendar. Villa Mondragone was at its maximum splendor during the epoch of the Borghese family who exhibited parts of their art and antiquities collections there, including the Antinous Mondragone which derives its name from the villa.
In 1858 George Sand was a guest in the villa and found there a suitable atmosphere for the setting of her novel La Daniella. In 1912 Wilfrid Michael Voynich acquired here the famous Voynich manuscript from the Order of the Jesuits, who had acquired the villa to turn it into a college. Voynich purchased 30 manuscripts — one of which was later to be known as the Voynich manuscript — though the work itself is thought to date to the early 1400s.
According to Sophie McKinley’s article “Top 10 Most Luxurious Villas in the World” in Luxuhabitat Sotheby’s International Realty, below are some more examples.
Bel Air Spec Manor, Los Angeles
The priciest residential property to have ever been listed in the United States, valued at a staggering $250 million in 2017. Beating the $100 million Playboy Mansion to the top spot in the Curbed “25 Most Expensive Homes” list the year previous. This huge 380,000-square-foot villa fatures an outdoor poolside movie theatre, bowling alley and helicopter landing pad plus a $30 million car portfolio that comes with the sale.
R Sector Villas in Emirates Hills, Dubai
Comprised of 70 exclusive villas with views over the Montgomerie golf course in the Emirate Hills. Typical price of around $129 million for an 8-bedrooom property. Plus all bedrooms feature their own en-suite bathroom. The stunning landscape outdoor space is topped off with a heated pool. There is also an entertainment space with retractable cinema and a bar.
Over Yonder Cay, Bahamas
Set on a private island, this villa is one of the most expensive holiday rentals in the world. Costing around $730,000 for a week’s hire for up to 28 people, but full of perks such as a day sail on a 114-foot superyacht, scuba diving and snorkeling, access to a 9-hole golf course and a spa with treatments.
Ellison Estate, California
A $200 million villa, spread across 10 separate buildings and 23 acres of land. It’s currently home to the third richest man in the world, Larry Ellison. The estate even has its own teahouse and bath house.
Ol Jogi Villas, Kenya
Another prolific holiday home, this time on a private ranch in the Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy. Costing around $229,600 for 14 people for a week’s holiday. While luxury features run through the villa’s interior — such as Hermes fabrics and polished Buccellati silver — the main selling point of this estate is the surrounding wildlife, making it a truly unique destination. All profits from the rentals go to fund Ol Jogi’s black rhino conservation projects.
Ski Dream Home, Utah
This is the world’s ultimate ski escape, located in Deer Crest and built by Resort West. CEO Joseph Ballstaedt describes the amazing 360-degree view, “You can see storms gathering. You can see everything.” The ski villa is completely custom made, with a ski-in bar, DJ booth, heated pool with grotto, 14-seat cinema and golf simulator.
Villa Gajah Putih, Bali
Located in the resort village of Canggu, less than an hour away from South Kuta — yet worlds away in ambience and style. Prices start from $6,000+ per night to stay at this private rental, and guests will have access to their own beachfront, as well as being able to enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens, private pool and private tennis courts.
Villa Leopolda, France
Valued at 500 million euros, this villa is one of the — if not the — most expensive residential homes in the world. Unlike many of the millionaire luxury villas being built, this property comes with a rich history spanning the entire century. It was originally built in 1902 by Belgium’s King Leopold II as a gift to one of his mistresses. The current owner is Lily Safra, widow to Lebanese banker Edmond Safra who bought the villa in the 1980s.
Palazzate, Barbados
On of the most luxurious Caribbean properties, built to palatial style and elegance. Palazzate is a lavish $125 million beachfront villa commissioned for the super-rich and an important real estate asset for the Speightstown area of the island. The home stretches 75,000 square feet and has been erected into four tiers, each with its own balcony pool.
Comments