Grand Hotel Villa Cora

Description

VILLA CORA, as it is called today, was originally 'VILLA OPPENHEIM' built by Baron Oppenheim in honour of his beautiful wife during the period in which 'Florence was the Capital of Italy (1865 1870). This fascinating residence of pure Neo-Classic style, was object of admiration for the grandeur and richness of its The Oppenheim Barons conducted a dazzling social life receiving the elite of Florentine and foreign Society in their great halls.The parties and balls became renowned for their pomp, elegance, and worldliness. In this dream-like climate, numerous romances and sentimental relationships were inevitably born even Baron Oppenheim doubted his beautiful wife's fidelity and decided to destroy the Villa by getting some barrels of inflammable material with the intention of setting it light. Fortunately, this decision came to the knowledge of the Chief of Police who succeeded in dissuading the Baron from his insane intention, but not from the decision to abandon the residence and Florence. 'VILLA CORA' was then chosen as a residence by the ex-Empress Eugenia, widow of Napoleon III, to whom Florence gave a warm and deferential welcome. The Empress, flattered by so much kind attention wanted to do something in return by inviting all the great Florentine families to her receptions who, in turn, competed to organize as many receptions and parties in her honour, some of them truly sumptuous like the one given at the Casino Borghese by Prince Camillo, Paolina Bonaparte's husband. Other people lived at 'VILLA CORA' and among these was the very rich Baroness Von Meck with whom Piter Ilich Tehiakowsky corresponded for many years The two did not know each other personally but were bound by a sentimental relationship originating from their common passion for Music In the same period, the great Russian composer also moved to Florence and went to live very near to the Baroness Von Meck Despite the proximity it is said that strangely the two platonic lovers continued to communicate by letter and never met... In this musical atmosphere, we should also remember the presence of the eighteen-year-old Claude Debussy who was part of the trio performing for that noble father of music, Baroness Von Meck. The Villa has Mr Egidio Cora's name. His son, Giuliano, who became Ambassador had many successful relationships in the most important capitals of the world, particularly in Ethiopia, where he gained the personal friendship of the Emperor Halle Selassie. After all these fascinating characters who contributed a profusion of beauty and worldliness, 'VILLA CORA' fell into oblivion for several decades, in a state of complete abandonment and degradation. Nearly all the furnishings were sold or lost The Villa is situated in the Viale dei Colli in the part named after Machiavelli a foreign writer defined it thus 'THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLA IN FLORENCE ON THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STREE

To book at Grand Hotel Villa Cora , Firenze , Italy , please enter your required dates on the left.

Details

Room rates: from €190.00 to €1270.00 (EUR)
Check In from:
Check Out by:

Credit Cards accepted: American Express, Master Card, Visa

Facilities:

Address and location

Viale Machiavelli 18, Firenze, Italy

Photos

Photographs of Grand Hotel Villa Cora, Firenze