Discover Spicchio: Villas, Gardens and Historic Paths

Spicchio between Villa and Hillside Landscape

Spicchio has been mentioned since the 15th century as the administrative center of the Rospigliosi family’s estate. Villa Rospigliosi occupies a dominant position at the upper end of the slope descending from Pistoia to the town of Lamporecchio, giving it considerable landscape value. The complex includes the “Villa Vecchia” and the outbuildings of an agricultural estate. The hillside setting provides the complex with a landscape framework that is echoed in the town’s gardens and paths.

Parco dei Giardinetti and Historic Garden Paths

From the Spicchio complex, a tree-lined avenue leads down to the town; the Parco dei Giardinetti branches off from it. The Parco Storico I Giardinetti is now a municipal garden and was originally part of Villa Rospigliosi. Its 18th-century paths follow an original radial design. They are complemented by a small cylindrical structure, a kind of viewing point, offering views of the surrounding landscape. The avenue and the radial garden paths represent two different ways of moving through the grounds.

Chapel and Architectural Attribution

A noble chapel dedicated to Saints Simon and Jude stands in the front garden of Villa Rospigliosi. Villa Rospigliosi was built according to a design generally attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini. For those interested in culture, a specific dedication to the saints meets an attribution rooted in architectural history here.

Concerts and Art Exhibitions at the Villa

Today, Villa Rospigliosi is home to a diverse range of cultural and artistic activities, including concerts and art exhibitions. At the villa, historic architectural heritage is thus combined with present-day cultural activity involving concerts and art exhibitions.

Historic Aqueduct Path to San Baronto

The historic aqueduct path offers a special combination of history and movement. It was created at the same time as the Fattoria di Spicchio and Villa Rospigliosi, ran for approximately two kilometers from San Baronto through a wooded slope to the estate, and can also be walked. For planning a day trip, the approximate length of two kilometers provides a concrete guide between San Baronto and the estate. Unlike the garden paths of the Parco dei Giardinetti, the aqueduct path runs through a wooded slope. For a walk, the approximate length remains the key planning detail, while the wooded slope determines the character of the route.

Wine Cellars and Brigidino from Lamporecchio

Tours by train organized in Lamporecchio may include a visit to the wine cellars of the Fattoria di Spicchio. Brigidino from Lamporecchio provides a culinary complement: this crisp pastry is made from eggs, sugar, anise and flour. The wine cellars connect with the agricultural side of the Fattoria di Spicchio, while Brigidino brings a local specialty from Lamporecchio to the table.

More destinations for travel planning: Porciano, San Baronto.

Back to the main travel overview: Lamporecchio.