Villa Della Casa

Point of Interest

Villa Della Casa

Foto Podcast

Villa della Casa is located in the municipality of Borgo San Lorenzo, a territory rich in history and culture. Immersed in a unique landscape, the villa stands among gentle hills and lush fields, representing an example of Tuscan noble architecture linked to a past of great cultural significance. This historic residence is renowned for being the birthplace of Monsignor Giovanni della Casa (1503-1556), a central figure of the Italian Renaissance and author of the famous "Galateo, or The Rules of Polite Behavior," a work that codified good manners and social etiquette. Giovanni della Casa is one of the most illustrious personalities of the Italian Renaissance. Born in the villa that bears his name, he was a clergyman, diplomat, poet, and writer. His ecclesiastical career led him to prestigious roles, including that of Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Venice and Archbishop of Benevento. Monsignor della Casa's most famous work, the Galateo, is considered a masterpiece of Italian literature. Written with elegance and finesse, the treatise not only provides rules of good behavior but also offers a profound reflection on the society of his time and human relationships. The term "galateo" has become synonymous with good manners thanks to this book, which still maintains a surprising relevance today. In addition to the Galateo, Giovanni della Casa was the author of poems, letters, and treatises that testify to his literary sensibility and vast culture. The ancestral villa represents the deep bond between the author and the Mugello territory, which influenced his intellectual formation. Over the centuries, Villa della Casa has been a destination for scholars and intellectuals attracted by the figure of Giovanni della Casa and the charm of the residence. It is said that the villa hosted scholars and poets who wished to immerse themselves in the places that inspired the author of the Galateo. An interesting anecdote concerns an episode from Monsignor della Casa's life: it is narrated that, during a stay at the villa, the young Giovanni began to conceive the ideas that would give life to his treatise. The rigor and harmony of the Mugello landscape, combined with the education received in his family, would have prompted him to reflect on the importance of balance and respect in human relationships. Villa della Casa is an elegant building that combines Renaissance elements with typical details of Tuscan rural architecture. The structure, simple and harmonious, is surrounded by a large garden with centuries-old trees and breathtaking views of the Mugello hills.


Foto


Podcast

The Good Manners of Monsignor della Casa – Text by: Serena Pinzani


Reachable via the following routes

Route 4

Mugello in Literature

Duration5/6 days
Length128 KM
DifficultyDifficult

From Dante to Dino Campana, passing through Carducci, through centuries of great writers

Route 6

The Pillars of Faith

Duration3/4 days
Length73 KM
DifficultyDifficult

The great Mugello priests who have left their mark on the church and our customs in different ways. The abbot of Buonsollazzo, Montesenario, Monsignor Della Casa, Monsignor Bartolucci, Don Milani

Route +2

Mugello Cycling Tourism

Duration1 day
Length73 KM
DifficultyGravel-Style

Gravel/Cycling Tour Route