The Villa Borbone is a beautiful nineteenth century building in the frazioneTorre del Lago of Viareggio. The building is surrounded by a large park with a central driveway, a garden and groves with walking paths. Nowadays the villa is owned by the Municipality of Viareggio and hosts conferences, art exhibitions and other cultural events.
Address: Viale dei Tigli (Torre del Lago) – Viareggio. Tel: +39 0584 359950. Opening hours: Tuesday, thursday and saturday from 09.00 till 12.00 and wednesdays from 12.00 till 15.30. Closed: Sunday, monday and friday. Admission: Free.
History and description
Villa Borbone
The Villa Borbone was built by the architect Lorenzo Nottolini for Maria Luisa di Borbone, Duchess of Lucca. It stands in the centre of the Bourbon estate, also known as the archducal estate because it was inherited by the Habsburg Lorraine family.
The building has undergone continuous and significant changes since the early years of its construction and throughout the nineteenth century. It is an excellent example of a typical country residence of the period.
It started its existence as a hunting lodge, then it became a manor house and finally a holiday home.
The palace consists of three floors. The central body is flanked by the stables and the Cappella di Sepolcreto. In 1885 Giuseppe Pardini restored this chapel, using a beautiful, precious kind of marble. It is in this chapel that the sovereigns of Lucca and their descendants are buried. The most impressive monumental tombs are those of Charles III of Parma and Carlo Ludovico of Lucca.
Nowadays the villa hosts exhibitions, conferences and special events. It is also the seat of the Park of Migliarino San Rossore and Massaciuccoli.
