On the outskirts of the city of Sesto Fiorentino, in a beautiful landscape setting, is the park of Villa Solaria. The park covers an area of about 60,000 square metres and is characterised by large lawns separated by dense wooded areas. Among the most remarkable specimens in terms of age and size are cypresses, maples, cedars, horse chestnuts, pines, oaks, redwoods, yews, lindens, white poplars and ginkgo biloba.
In 1820, in the lowest part of the garden, "an Etruscan burial ground was found, formed by large stones placed one on top of the other, without lime, so as to form a vault". The stones were later reused to decorate a pond, which is located in the park.
Immersed in the park is the villa of the same name, dating back to the 14th century, which belonged to the Guidacci, a noble Florentine family, later to Francesco Boninsegni, and then through several weddings, the villa became the property of the Torrigiani family, who held it until the middle of the last century, when it was purchased by the American Carter Parvus.
In the 1930s the villa was converted into a nursing home and a new wing was added for hospital needs. Since 1982, it has been owned by the municipality of Sesto Fiorentino and is a hospice for the elderly, while the park is open to all.
Villa Solaria
via degli Strozzi angolo via della Mula
