The first written record about Villa Garzoni dates back to 1633. It took one hundred and seventy years to build. The European fame of the villa is mostly due to its wonderful baroque garden.
Villa Torrigiani was built in the beginning of 16th century. The villa is one of the best examples of baroque architecture in Tuscany. Its park has big ornamental pools and the original "Flora's secret garden", which becomes the decorative theme of the internal frescos.
Villa Mansi represents perfectly the culture and the society of the old aristocratic Republic of Lucca. The Mansi family were silk merchants already well-known in 16th century Europe before they worked in close contact with other families from Lucca like Cenami and Bonvisi.
Villa Reale was built by Bonvisi family around 1500 and has always been the residence of noble families and great patrons of the arts. The princess of Lucca and Napoleone's sister, Elisa Baciocchi, lived here. After the fall of Napoleone the villa fell into the possession of the Dukes of Parma and the Grand Dukes of Tuscany before becoming the property of King Victor Emmanuel II, when Italy was unified. The latter then passed it to Prince Charles of Capua, brother of the last king of the two Sicilies.
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