The History of The Villa Stabbia Estate

The Villa Stabbia estate is located on the fringe of the Pistoia hills overlooking Valdinievole, a short distance from Montecatini Terme, a famous and well-equipped spa resort.

The ancient villa, which is surrounded by 3 farmhouses adjacent to its garden, dominates the hilly landscape. 

The site has been built in stages, the oldest map available, dated 1784, shows a much smaller villa, the chapel and only one farmhouse. Though there are indications of a much older origin:

-> One of the 3 family crests in the villa façade is split with the Medici characteristic 6 balls, supposedly pointing out a marriage between a Medici lady and another noble family (indicates early 1500)

-> The window design of the oldest part of the villa is in the classic style of Florentine architecture around the 1500’s.

Through the centuries several additions have been made, though few official documents are available. Many signs of change are evident throughout the buildings. One thing is certain though; the chapel was built in May 1700 as stated on its façade, and the big camphor tree in front was planted at the same time.

The second crest in the villa façade belongs to the Barli family, an established line already mentioned in the local history around 1500. They presided over the property for many generations, as indicated by the portraiture in the main entrance. Several Barli members have been laid to rest in the chapel of Villa Stabbia.

 The last Barli heir was forced to sell the Villa Stabbia estate after dissipating the whole family fortune (partly on the gambling tables). The estate was then bought by a distant relative, Alcide Nucci, a businessman from the nearby village of Pescia.

Even though Alcide Nucci only owned the estate for about 30 years and mainly lived in Rome, he left a very strong imprint on Villa Stabbia. The inside of the ancient villa was restructured to take it’s current shape, whilst the estate expanded as more land was acquired in the valley. As with the Barli family; the villa’s main production was of olive oil and red wine. 

A small interesting story concerns the size of Alcide Nucci. He was a very tall man (and also a bit large); hence he found the dining chairs at Villa Stabbia most uncomfortable – not enough space for the long legs. He subsequently had all the legs of the chairs shortened. So today, the chairs around the dining table are perfect for tall people.

Alcide’s business had several ups and downs. During one of the more difficult times his wife’s sister, Caterina Bartolozzi and her husband Mario Marchi, helped him back on his feet. When passing away Alcide left part of his fortune to the Pescia hospital, a building in Rome to his brothers and Villa Stabbia to his nephew Francesco Marchi Bartolozzi. 

Francesco still owns the estate, and it was with him that the third crest of the Marchi family was added to the façade.

 

Francesco Marchi Bartolozzi, working in Rome as a civil engineer, never directly managed the estate until around 1990 when the last farmers abandoned the fields. Until then, the farm had been run via the “mezzadria” contract. This gave the worker full autonomy over the fields allotted to his family with a percentage of the crops (between 30 to 40%) to be returned to the landlord. Hence, each of the three farmhouses was like a small farm in itself with its own stable, storage and cellars. 

In 1994, Francesco and his wife Raffaela decided to restore and convert one of the three farmhouses into three luxury apartments, to be rented for the holiday season by tourists (Agriturismo). Since they were still living in Rome, the fields were kept at minimum maintenance with reduced production of olive oil, red wine, Vin Santo and some white wine. 

The Agriturismo and the fields were managed by their daughter Michela Marchi Bartolozzi and her husband Malcolm Edwards, until they left for the UK in 1996. So after having spent most of their life in Rome, Francesco and Raffaela finally moved permanently to Villa Stabbia.

In 2002, Francesco’s son took over the management of the estate. Mario Marchi Bartolozzi (geologist) and his wife Tine Pedersen (geophysicist) had decided for a radical change in lifestyle, after many years working as expatriates in the Oil & Gas Industry. Together they have given a strong push both to the farming activity and the Agriturismo. 

Today the Villa Stabbia estate is a certified organic farm producing high quality extra virgin olive oil, infused olive oil, Vin Santo and red wine. With the restoration of the second farmhouse and a stable, the Agriturismo can now offer five apartments; and there are already plans for converting the third farmhouse into long term rental apartments. 

Hence today, there are three generations living at Villa Stabbia, Francesco and Raffaella, Mario and Tine and their son, Lau (born 1998).

Our dearest little Loke, born 2000, passed away December the 13^th 2006 and was laid to rest in the family chapel.

  Can't see the menu at the top - click here for site-map

Agriturismo Villa Stabbia, Via Casorino 3, 51010 Massa e Cozzile, Toscana, Italia
+39 0572 74975       -        info@VillaStabbia.it       -       P.IVA 01483210470