Villa of Corliano
A Renaissance summer residence on the western slopes of the Pisan Mountains, built by the Spini merchant family in the first half of the 15th century and now operating as a characteristic hotel.
At a glance
The Villa of Corliano occupies a site rich in Roman history, located halfway between Pisa and Lucca along the ancient Via Aemilia Scauri. The estate was originally built as a summer retreat and has been transformed into an intimate hotel with period rooms and gardens.
History
The land at Corliano was once held by the Venuleii, a Roman consular family of Etruscan descent. By 1126, the property belonged to the sons of Schiero II Visconti of Pisa. The villa itself was begun by the Spini family, prominent Florentine merchants and bankers, in the first half of the 15th century, possibly on foundations left by the Roman villa of L. Venuleius Montanus.
Montanus, patron of the Pisan colony and consul of Attidium, commissioned the construction of the Caldaccoli aqueduct and the Terme di Pisa in 92 AD. The Spini family’s choice of this location for their summer house thus connected them to centuries of Tuscan prominence.
What you see
The palazzo preserves Renaissance domestic architecture typical of merchant-class villas of the period. Set on gently sloping terrain within the Pisan Mountains nature reserve, the building retains period features while adapted for contemporary hospitality use.
Cultural significance
The villa represents the enduring appeal of this Tuscan landscape across epochs—from Roman patronage through medieval aristocracy to Renaissance banking families. Its continuity as a place of residence demonstrates how cultural and economic centres shift while certain locations retain their desirability.
Key facts
- Address: Via Statale Abetone 50, Località Corliano, 56017 San Giuliano Terme (Pi)
- Coordinates: 43.78039383938518, 10.428568124771118
- Official website: villadicorliano.it
- Phone: 050 818193
Practical information
The Villa of Corliano now operates as Villa di Corliano Relais all’Ussero, a small hotel offering rooms with modern amenities set within extensive grounds. Visitors can experience the villa as a working residence while exploring its historical setting between the Pisan and Luccan territories.
Getting there
The villa is located in San Giuliano Terme, in the province of Pisa, along the State Road 12 (Abetone and Brenner route) between Pisa and Lucca. The property sits near the Park of Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli. For current opening arrangements and booking, visit the official website or contact the hotel directly.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
Historical events at this place (1)
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