Italy has always held a certain allure for global buyers seeking homes with architectural character and a lifestyle steeped in natural beauty. It's coincided recently with a wave of historic family estates coming to market for the first time in generations. One of the most compelling examples sits just beyond Lucca's famous Renaissance walls: an exquisitely restored 18th-century villa once belonging to Caroline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon and Queen of Naples. Priced at $23,046,785 USD, the estate spans nearly six hectares and includes a private church, lemon house, guesthouse, stables, and two swimming pools.
Despite the property's age and provenance, listing agent Alessandro Tognetti of Coldwell Banker Forte dei Marmi says the property is "perfectly preserved and meticulously restored." He calls it "one of Tuscany's most fascinating historic homes."
Originally built in the 16th century, the villa was transformed in the 1700s by Coriolano Orsucci, who reimagined it as a noble pleasure residence with grand Baroque proportions. In 1836, Caroline Bonaparte purchased the property, ushering in an era of refinement that still defines the estate today. Among the most notable contributions is a dramatic walled-garden entrance portal, designed by esteemed architect Filippo Juvarra, whose works include palaces across Turin and Madrid.
Inside, the drama continues. The piano nobile centers around a 125-square-meter double salon, an astonishing ceremonial space adorned with Sebastiano Puccini’s stuccoes and flanked by two oversized canvases attributed to Pier Dandini—The Battle of the Milvian Bridge and The Rape of the Sabine Women—likely brought to the villa by Bonaparte herself. Adjacent lounges and the famed “red room,” wrapped in 18th-century silk, preserve period furnishings that feel museum-quality yet eminently livable.
The ground floor, fully restored, contains historic kitchens, sitting rooms, and additional bedroom suites, while the second floor offers further sleeping quarters awaiting renovation—an opportunity for the next proprietor to craft a bespoke private wing or additional luxury suites. Even the attic, accessible and illuminated by countryside views, hints at future possibilities.
Complementing the main villa is a separate 300-square-meter guesthouse, artfully renovated with a generous living room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, and five ensuite bedrooms—ideal for guests, extended family, or luxury hospitality.
Historic stables and a 1,150-square-meter farmer’s house retain their original character and stand ready for adaptive reuse, from ateliers to boutique accommodations.
A stone path leads to the estate’s private 18th-century church, still intact in its original architecture—an extraordinary feature for buyers who appreciate heritage preservation or dream of hosting intimate ceremonies on-site.
The Italian-style park includes terracotta statues, gravel allées, box hedges, and its signature lemon groves. In warmer months, the citrus trees animate the garden with color and fragrance; in winter, they retreat to the 300-square-meter lemon house, perfectly restored and now accommodating art exhibitions, events, or seasonal entertaining.
Two swimming pools—each discreetly woven into the greenery—anchor the estate’s wellness and leisure offerings, delivering the sense of a private resort tucked into the Tuscan hills.
Just minutes from Lucca yet enveloped in complete privacy, the villa is a true legacy estate for the next generation of collectors. Says Tognetti: "This villa is not just a prestigious residence, but a cultural and artistic heritage that recounts centuries of Italian and European history. Every architectural detail, every glimpse of the grounds, every memory linked to its illustrious owners makes it a unique place, destined for those seeking beauty, exclusivity, and entrepreneurial vision in one of Italy's most fascinating regions."
View the complete listing by Alessandro Tognetti of Coldwell Banker Forte dei Marmi.
