Villa Mangiacane
A villa rich with Italy's history
Villa Mangiacane is a noble and majestic villa set on a hill, 12 km's south of Florence and near the historic town of San Casciano. The name originated from Latin, Magna Cane, which literally translates to 'great dog'. The local dialect transformed the name into Italian and Mangiacane. The dogs in which the name refers are Neopolitan mastiffs, which still guard the villa.
Evidence suggests that Michelangelo himself participated in the design of the villa. The house was built by the famed Francesco Maria Machiavelli, uncle of Niccolo Machiavelli, thanks to the substantial commissions given him by a relative, Pope Urban VIII. In fact, because of the significance of the owners and architects, the original architectural plans are housed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
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'.
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 premium wines in a setting that could offer 'old-world' hospitality to its guests.
Evidence suggests that Michelangelo himself participated in the design of the villa. The house was built by the famed Francesco Maria Machiavelli, uncle of Niccolo Machiavelli, thanks to the substantial commissions given him by a relative, Pope Urban VIII. In fact, because of the significance of the owners and architects, the original architectural plans are housed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
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'.
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 premium wines in a setting that could offer 'old-world' hospitality to its guests.
Via Faltignano 4, San Casciano, 50026 Florence - Tuscany - Italy Tel. 39 055 829 0123 Fax. 39 055 829 0358 Email. mangiacane@steinhotels.com
