Historic Villa Linked to Napoleon’s Sister Hits the Market
After two centuries since it was associated with Napoleon’s sister, a remarkable villa near Lucca, Italy, is now up for sale. This presents an uncommon chance to acquire a property intertwined with Bonaparte’s Tuscan heritage.
The villa, known today as Villa Orsucci, was purchased by Caroline Bonaparte in 1836. She, by marrying General Joachim Murat of France, attained the title of Queen of Naples.
Though her reign lasted from 1808 to 1815, her ties to Tuscany have truly endured over the years.
Originally built in the 16th century, this expansive residence underwent significant changes in the early 1700s thanks to silk merchant Coriolano Orsucci, who employed the renowned Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra for the redesign.
As a result, the villa now boasts about 26,000 square feet of exquisite living space, featuring three main floors, an attic, and a basement. The interiors showcase intricate stucco work and impressive canvas paintings by Pier Dandini.
One of its standout features is the double central salon, often regarded as one of the largest among Lucca’s villas. In addition, there’s a reception area, a game room, dining spaces, and a uniquely styled “red room.”
According to Lionard Luxury Real Estate, which is managing the listing, “Every single steel element was custom painted to match the exact color code of the luxurious silk brocade on the walls.”
The property extends over 14.8 acres, mixing formal parkland with olive groves and pastures. It includes historical elements such as boxwood hedges, terracotta statuary, and gravel pathways laid out centuries ago.
The 18th-century small church maintains its original architecture, while the expansive lemon house, which harbors over 100 citrus trees in winter, serves as a venue for events. There are also two functioning swimming pools, plus a third one awaiting restoration, and a helipad for convenient travel.
While the number of bedrooms in the main villa hasn’t been specified, there’s an additional five-bedroom annex. Also, an old stonewash house on the grounds could be converted into more accommodation options.
The asking price hasn’t been explicitly disclosed, but indications suggest an offer starting at over $11.7 million, with expectations ranging between $17 million to $23 million.
Dimitri Corti, the founder and CEO of Lionard, views the sale as more than just another property transaction. He remarked on the significance of Lucca’s historic villas, noting, “They represent a truly unique heritage of the world.”
Villa Orsucci is just one of three properties tied to the Bonaparte lineage in the Lucca region available for purchase. The other two, Villa Real Di Maria and Villa Paolina, are privately owned.
Lionard’s promotional material refers to these connections: “Three Sisters, Three Icons, Three Unofficial Queens of Tuscany.” They claim that owning such a legacy is nearly impossible today, making this a truly unique opportunity.
