Francis York

View Original

Villa Paolina Produces Its Own Olive Oil

Address: Via di Compignano, 1447, 55054 Compignano LU, Italy

This property is listed for €8,500,000 by Mark Harvey of Knight Frank.

3500 olive trees surround this Tuscan estate, built in the Lucca style with an elongated structure with ornate detailing. 

The property is spread across 274 acres offering sweeping views of the coastline from it’s elevated position. The grounds are terraced with a swimming pool with jacuzzi, as well as a helipad on the property level. A grand double staircase leads to the lower terrace and out onto the formal Italian gardens. 

The 13, 127 square foot villa has 5 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms across five storeys (accessible by elevator). In addition to the main villa, there are several rural and residential buildings on the property, as well as several farmhouses and two manorial chapels. 

Giovanni Riveruzzi, View of the Casino and the park of Villa Paolina from the side of Porta Pia, 1828, watercolor on paper (Museo Napoleonico).

The villa can be dated back to the 17th century and belonged to the noble Trenta family until 1783, when it passed to the Mansi family. In 1812, the property was purchased by Elisa Baciocchi, Napoleon Bonaparte’s sister. It was her sister, Paolina Borghese  who became its namesake, after staying at the villa in 1815, during Napoleon’s exile in Elba. 

All photos belong to the listing agency.