Villa Mangiacane

Villa Mangiacane is more than a hotel, it is an informal luxurious private home set amongst acres of vineyard, olive grove and majestic forest where a few privileged guests can enjoy authentic Tuscan villa living, savoring the ambience and the wines and olive oil produced by the estate - a magnificent 16th century villa that bears the unmistakable hand of the Renaisance master, Michelangelo.

Villa Mangiacane is a ‘noble and majestic’ villa set on a beautiful hill above Sant’Andrea in Percussina, halfway between Florence and San Casciano. Its name – which, in Italian means ‘the dog that eats’ or, ‘eat the dog’ – refers to the imposing stone dog sculptures that used to guard the villa from atop its gate’s pillars. It is said that even Michelangelo participated in designing the Villa. The Villa was built by Cardinal Francesco Maria Machiavelli, uncle of Niccolò Machiavelli, thanks to the substantial commissions given him by Pope Urban VIII, who was Sold by the Machiavellis in 1645 to the aristocratic family of the Marchesi Mazzei (who kept it until the mid-20th century), Villa Mangiacane’s fortunes rose and fell over the course of the centuries. Today it is happily living a revival with Glynn Cohen, a Southern-African entrepreneur who fell in love with Tuscany’s culture and history. “Seeing the Duomo’s dome framed by the arches of the Villa’s loggia won me over from the first moment I saw it,” says Glynn Cohen. “This exceptional Tuscan landscape which combines human artistry with nature’s beauty has always fascinated me.” Glynn Cohen bought Villa Mangiacane in 2000, when it was practically in ruins, and he has brought it back to its former splendor. The idea has been to produce fine modern wines in a setting that could offer ‘old-world’ hospitality to its guests.

Nestled in the heart of the famed winemaking region of Chianti Classico (area between Sienna and Florence), Villa Mangiacane keeps its watchful eye over the haunting Arno Valley and the city of Florence’ Dome of the Cathedral and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

 Villa Mangiacane is situated: 15 minutes away from the Florence city. 20 minutes away from the Airport of Florence. 45 minutes away from siena. 2 hours away from Rome. 3 Hours away from Venice. 3 Hours away from Milan.

Villa Mangiacane has a total of 26 guest rooms, made up of 14 double rooms and 12 suites. Guests have a wide range of room types and categories from which to choose: classic rooms, superior rooms, deluxe, junior suites with private gardens and Jacuzzi pools, terrace suites with its wonderful terrace overlooking Florence and of course last but not least the magnificent Mangiacane Royal Suite. Rooms and suites offer either breathtaking panoramic views over the city of Florence or the surrounding vineyards, olive groves and forests. All guest rooms feature generously-sized marble bathrooms with plasma and flat screen televisions with satellite channels, mini bar, Internet access and IDSL lines and individual room safes.

The cooking features innovative Italian cuisine with an emphasis on the flavor of natural products and a slight international twist. Villa Mangiacane’s Italian kitchen produces the freshest of dishes, served either all-fresco on one of our beautiful “piazza’s”, wine cellars, terraces or formal dining room. The spacious terraces with spectacular panoramic views over the twinkling lights of Florence and the ever famous rolling hills of Tuscany guarantee an unforgettable experience. The hotel also organizes themed dinners, cooking classes and wine tasting sessions at which you can enjoy a gourmet experience in a memorable setting.