Villa Il Giullarino - Free Audio Guide

Villa Il Giullarino is a historical villa located in Florence, Italy, at via Pian de' Giullari 12, opposite Villa Capponi and near the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory. Its origins date back to the 15th century, but it underwent significant renovations in the 16th and 17th centuries. The villa was originally owned by the Bartolommei family and later passed to the Passerini family. In the early 19th century, it was sold to Baron De Fabrot. Notably, Wilhelm Tempel, an astronomer associated with the nearby observatory, lived in the villa briefly and died there in 1889. In 1908, the villa was purchased by Guy Mitchell from Chicago, who restored it and added a tower. In 1929, it was sold to Catherine Pingree Dawes, who bequeathed it to a charitable institute after her death in 1937. The villa was subsequently acquired in 1938 by art collector Riccardo Gualino, who created a significant art collection there prior to his death in 1964. Today, the villa is divided into private apartments. One of the villa's distinguishing features is its monumental entrance at number 12, which includes a portal adorned with the Bartolommei family crest, a marble facade of a small chapel, and a tabernacle featuring an affresco of a crucifix. The villa's architecture and historical significance make it a point of interest for visitors exploring the cultural heritage of Florence.