Villa Corsi Salviati: A Living Masterpiece Anchored in Italian Heritage

In the rolling hills of Sesto Fiorentino, just beyond the storied skyline of Florence, stands Villa Corsi Salviati – a property that transcends time, blending artistry, heritage, and contemporary craftsmanship. For FerriFirenze, the fine jeweller synonymous with Italian elegance, this is more than a headquarters. It is a living, breathing embodiment of Italianità – Italy’s spirit of beauty, cultural pride, and timeless craftsmanship.

Built in the 16th century on what was once an agricultural reserve, Villa Corsi Salviati has always been a place where function meets grace. Purchased by the Corsican Marquises in 1503, the villa would become a noble residence, later restored to its former glory in the 20th century by Giulio Guicciardini Corsi Salviati. Its commanding Baroque façade and sculpted gardens have long been admired for their design and the stories they tell about Italy’s rich artistic and agricultural legacy.

Today, FerriFirenze occupies part of this historical residence and contributes directly to its preservation. This is a meaningful commitment: rental proceeds go towards the continued restoration of the estate. The brand also proudly supports the villa’s inclusion in the FAI – Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano (the National Trust for Italy). As a partner of FAI, FerriFirenze helps safeguard this architectural gem for generations to come.

For the clients and partners of FerriFirenze, the villa is not merely a place to visit – it is an immersive experience. Appointments often take place in the Galleria Vecchia (1639), once commissioned by Lorenzo Corsi. At the end of the gallery lies the Loggia di Bacchino (1730), an extraordinary space formerly used as an aviary, its ceiling adorned with frescoes by Ferdinando Melani. Here, amidst depictions of birds and ancient ruins, the narrative of craftsmanship continues.

At the heart of the loggia is a small fountain, once graced by a sculpture of a satyr by Pietro Bernini, father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the artist behind some of Rome’s most iconic baroque masterpieces. Originally carved in Carrara marble in 1595, the satyr was created for an indoor reception space where food and wine were central to the social experience. Today, the original resides in Berlin’s prestigious sculpture museum, but the loggia still retains the spirit of that time: a celebration of the senses and the skill of the maker.

The grounds are equally compelling. In 1571, landscape architect Antonio Corso reimagined the villa’s gardens, laying the foundation for a botanic and sculptural treasure trove. Over the following centuries, this vision was enhanced by Girolamo Ticciati, the famed 17th-century sculptor, who contributed 18 statues to the property.
These works interpret myth, the seasons, and everyday life in expressive, theatrical forms.

Among his sculptures are the Four Seasons placed at the corners of the villa’s central fishpond, or peschiera: Spring exudes serenity, Autumn holds a cluster of grapes, and Winter folds into a protective cloak. Summer, unfortunately, has been lost to time. These representations are more than decorative – they reflect the rhythms of agricultural life once at the heart of the estate.

In addition to artistic wealth, the villa boasts a botanical history that few other estates can match. In the 19th century, Marquis Bardo Corsi transformed the property into a living library for exotic plants. Two greenhouses were constructed to support his collection – one near the Loggia di Bacchino for orchids, and a larger space in the former gallery. Bardo cultivated species that were rare for the region: bananas, coffee, palms, tree ferns, even the first coloured freesia flowers. One of his specimens, Cocos Flexuosa, was hailed as the most beautiful coconut palm in Europe and drew admirers from across the continent.

This era of botanical experimentation was no hobbyist indulgence. The Marquis’s plants were regularly exhibited through the Regia Società Toscana di Orticoltura (the royal Tuscan society of horticulture), and his collection was enriched by specimens sent from renowned botanist and explorer Odoardo Beccari. In its heyday, Villa Corsi Salviati was as much a centre for horticultural innovation as it was a haven for artists and aristocrats.

The villa’s theatrical flair is not confined to its gardens or architecture. An open-air theatre, created by one of its former residents, brings another dimension to the estate’s cultural life. The landscape forms the stage, with sculpted hedges and flowering shrubs serving as organic backdrops. It’s a space where guests once gathered under the stars for performances, and today it continues to embody the Italian love for art in all its forms – music, drama, sculpture, and design.

In this layered and living environment, FerriFirenze has found not just a home but a source of creative energy. The atelier within the Villa draws daily inspiration from its surroundings – from the mythological figures carved into stone to the botanical patterns winding through its gardens. Every FerriFirenze jewel bears the mark of this influence: the reverence for detail, the embrace of heritage, the celebration of nature.

But just as importantly, the brand’s presence here is also an act of stewardship. 
Through its financial support and ongoing commitment to restoration, FerriFirenze helps to ensure that Villa Corsi Salviati remains not a relic, but a vibrant place of cultural and artistic exchange. In collaboration with FAI, the jeweller plays an active role in the conservation of a national treasure, inviting visitors and clients alike to take part in the legacy.

To walk through the Villa today is to encounter the living continuity of Italian history – an unbroken line from Renaissance agriculture to Baroque sculpture, from 19th- century horticulture to modern craftsmanship. Whether attending a bespoke appointment in the frescoed Galleria Vecchia or wandering the garden paths traced centuries ago, visitors are invited into a world where beauty, purpose, and tradition converge.

At FerriFirenze, this is more than a philosophy. It is a responsibility, one that we are proud to uphold in the halls and gardens of Villa Corsi Salviati.