Villa Mangiacane is more than a hotel, it is an informal luxurious
private home set amongst acres of vineyard, olive grove and majestic forest
where a few privileged guests can enjoy authentic Tuscan villa living,
savoring the ambience and the wines and olive oil produced by the estate - a
magnificent 16th century villa that bears the unmistakable hand of the
Renaisance master, Michelangelo.
HistoryVilla Mangiacane is a ‘noble and majestic’ villa set on a
beautiful hill above Sant’Andrea in Percussina, halfway between Florence and
San Casciano. Its name – which, in Italian means ‘the dog that eats’ or,
‘eat the dog’ – refers to the imposing stone dog sculptures that used to
guard the villa from atop its gate’s pillars.
It is said that even Michelangelo participated in designing the
Villa. The Villa was built by Cardinal Francesco Maria Machiavelli, uncle of
Niccolò Machiavelli, thanks to the substantial commissions given him by Pope
Urban VIII, who was Sold by the Machiavellis in 1645 to the aristocratic
family of the Marchesi Mazzei (who kept it until the mid-20th century),
Villa Mangiacane’s fortunes rose and fell over the course of the centuries.
Today it is happily living a revival with Glynn Cohen, a Southern-African
entrepreneur who fell in love with Tuscany’s culture and history.
“Seeing the Duomo’s dome framed by the arches of the Villa’s loggia won me
over from the first moment I saw it,” says Glynn Cohen. “This exceptional
Tuscan landscape which combines human artistry with nature’s beauty has
always fascinated me.”
Glynn Cohen bought Villa Mangiacane in 2000, when it was practically
in ruins, and he has brought it back to its former splendor. The idea has
been to produce fine modern wines in a setting that could offer ‘old-world’
hospitality to its guests.
Nestled in the heart of the famed winemaking region of Chianti Classico
(area between Sienna and Florence), Villa Mangiacane keeps its
watchful eye over the haunting Arno Valley and the city of Florence’ Dome of
the Cathedral and Giotto’s Bell Tower.
Villa Mangiacane is situated:
15 minutes away from the Florence city.
20 minutes away from the Airport of Florence.
45 minutes away from siena.
2 hours away from Rome.
3 Hours away from Venice.
3 Hours away from Milan.
The cooking features innovative Italian cuisine with an emphasis on the
flavor of natural products and a slight international twist.
Villa Mangiacane’s Italian kitchen produces the freshest of dishes,
served either all-fresco on one of our beautiful “piazza’s”, wine cellars,
terraces or formal dining room. The spacious terraces with spectacular
panoramic views over the twinkling lights of Florence and the ever famous
rolling hills of Tuscany guarantee an unforgettable experience. The hotel
also organizes themed dinners, cooking classes and wine tasting sessions at
which you can enjoy a gourmet experience in a memorable setting.
