Dimora dell' Arcangelo - La Residenza

NEW LISTING – LUCCA, TUSCANY



‘O mio babbino caro!’* we’ve landed gracefully in Lucca



Gazing dreamily out from its shuttered windows onto Piazza San Michele** ‘within the walls’ of the gorgeous medieval city of Lucca, sits this gently reawakened palazzo waiting to welcome you with open arms within a framework harking all the way back to the 1200s.



Achingly chic and traditionally Lucchese in style, this ravishing restoration steadfastly clings to its classic roots...



Spearheaded by its owner, the distinguished interior designer and architect Maria Oliva, in close collaboration with our gifted design partners at ArchFlorence, taking its name from the statue of the Archangel Michael flanked by angels and crowning the Church of San Michele in Foro directly opposite – a glorious Romanesque-Gothic marble masterpiece resembling an elaborately frosted wedding cake – and immersed within the very centre of the laid-back warren of peaceful pedestrian-and-bike-friendly narrow streets and pretty piazzas, charming traditional shops and gourmet eateries aplenty that magically meld together to make Lucca one of the most liveable – and loveable – cities in all of Italy, ‘Dimora Dell’Arcangelo’ comprises 3 extraordinary apartments that, when combined, can host a total of 21 guests when reserved for exclusive use.



Cradled by the Apuan Alps and the Apennine Mountains to the north, don’t be at all surprised if lovely Lucca steals your heart!



Within moments of the birthplace, home and now museum of world-renowned Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini – che romantico! – and charmingly attired in rich textiles and quietly elegant furnishings as befits a city famous for its silk production throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance – just imagine! – the palazzo offers air-con ensuring your comfort under the Tuscan sunshine and boasts a radiance and old-world ambience that guarantees to soothe the soul.



Giving breathtaking cityscapes and every modern-day comfort, along with striking architectural features and a serenity we know you’ll cherish, guests are supported throughout their stay by local members of our friendly team in accommodation that includes:





Dimora Dell’Arcangelo La Residenza (4 bedrooms / 4 bathrooms) sleeping 7



Reached via the palazzo’s main entrance on the Via San Paolino, with lift rising to the apartment’s private entrance on the...



2nd Floor, where we open the doors to reveal:



An entrance hallway and internal corridor guiding you towards...



A magnificent dual-aspect main living room (well insulated from the bustle outside) comprising luxurious sitting / dining areas with windows facing the piazza (what views!) and showcasing a wonderfully characterful coffered ceiling overhead, warm diamond parquet flooring underfoot, a trio of deep, plush, petrol-blue velvet sofas to cocoon you in comfort, and a dining suite hosting 8 guests set beside a dramatic chiaroscuro painting of ‘Il Rifiuto di Marco Aurelio’ – signed by the late-Baroque Lucchese artist Giovanni Domenico Lombardi, a follower of Caravaggio – all beautifully lit by a marvellous crystal chandelier that shimmers and twinkles as you dine privately ‘at home’



A fabulously elegant study space / TV room-snug facing the Renaissance Palazzo Pretorio to the fore – dressed with Italian flourish, incredibly cosy yet grand in style, and perfect for some snoozy ‘telly time’ at the very end of a blissful day



To the rear of the apartment, a superbly equipped traditional Tuscan kitchen / breakfast room in cheerful verdigris green with breakfast bar and cushioned stools, wine cellar (of course!), white marble worktops, and a cooking range set beneath a decorative mantel where you can work your magic on seasonal delicacies as you prepare to impress your fellow guests with your very own menù toscano del giorno!



There are 4 luxurious bedrooms, all with en suite bathrooms:



A supremely romantic and rather regal principal double with a traditional alcove sitting area, an opulently upholstered double bed, its own walk-in wardrobe, and a spacious and very sweet en suite bathroom in marble with freestanding classical-style bathtub and separate shower



A relaxing and beautifully dressed 2nd double bedroom furnished with twin beds in Tuscan sunflower yellow and dove grey, a pair of oriental silk lamps casting a restful glow at close of day, its own walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom in vivid Giallo Siena marble with shower



To the rear of the palazzo, a tranquil 3rd double bedroom in ivory and deep pinks with a double bed, a built-in wardrobe, and an en suite bathroom with shower in grey and terracotta marble



Also to the rear, a dainty single bedroom dressed in stripes – a truly delightful bijou space – with a day / single bed in a porcini palette, its own large walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom with tiled shower in blue



And completing Dimora Dell’Arcangelo La Residenza’s exquisite and wonderfully situated accommodation...



A laundry room with handy washing machine and separate tumble dryer – a bonus if staying in Lucca for a longer duration – lucky you! – or stopping off in the city as part of an extended tour



And a charming guest bathroom in Iksel’s pretty magnolia wall covering (w.c. and wash-hand basin only)





Is this apartment already booked? Then take a look at Dimora Dell’Arcangelo La Residenza’s two equally special sisters: Dimora Dell’Arcangelo Piano Nobile (1st floor, sleeping 8) and Dimora Dell’Arcangelo La Loggia (3rd floor, sleeping 6).



Soon to be joined by the 4th and final apartment within the palazzo: Dimora Dell’Arcangelo Penthouse (4th floor, sleeping 6)



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*Translating as 'Oh my dear papa' – the title of a moving and much-loved aria from the 1918 opera ‘Gianni Schicchi’ by Puccini and sung by the character ‘Lauretta’ as she pleads with her father to allow her to marry her adored ‘Rinuccio’. Also featuring in the romantic 1985 Merchant Ivory film ‘A Room with a View’ with Dame Maggie Smith and Helena Bonham Carter

**The site of the Roman forum from 180 BC

Please get in touch with lucca@dimoraitalia.com for further details regarding parking if you’re planning to arrive by car

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OUR COMMENT



We can’t think of a more memorable place to stay in all of Lucca than this remarkable palazzo property that, quite simply, has it all!



And what of Lucca? My word, what an absolute stunner of a city...



Easy to fall in love with, very much on a human scale, and a beautiful contrast to the hustle and bustle of some of Italy’s premier tourist destinations. Perfect for winding down and exploring at a gentler pace, it’s a cornucopia of treasures to discover at your leisure with an atmosphere that enchants no matter your age and interests...



And with Dimora Dell’Arcangelo as your base, you’ll feel the spirit of Lucca...



‘Overflowing with everything that makes for ease, for plenty, for beauty, for interest and good example’ – Italian Hours (1909) – this quote by writer Henry James about the city of Lucca mirrors exactly how we feel about Dimora Dell’Arcangelo!



Within easy reach of the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Mansi (a 16th-century palace and art museum), the surprising little gem Domus Romana Lucca Museo Archeologico (the excavated remains of a Roman villa discovered in 2010 in the Renaissance cellars of a Lucca property and offering a remarkable insight into the city’s history), the Torre delle Ore (the medieval clock tower, the tallest tower in Lucca) offering stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains beyond and taking in the iconic 14th-century, tree-topped Torre Guinigi (also a must-visit and well worth the climb!)... not forgetting Lucca’s incredible Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, the Church of San Frediano with its spectacular and colourful Byzantine mosaic, and Il Duomo (the Cathedral of San Martino) with its beautiful sculpture by Jacopo della Quercia of Ilaria del Carretto, second wife of Paolo Guinigi, the Lord of Lucca in the 1400s – note, when you visit, the loyal little dog resting at her feet, a symbol of marital fidelity.



Or hire bikes and take a leisurely cycle around the raised, tree-lined city walls built in Roman times, enlarged during the Renaissance and necklacing Lucca’s centro storico – bike rental is readily available, including 6-seaters and tandems – fun for all the family!



A stone’s throw to an enormous variety of excellent cafes, bars and restaurants – Lucca is pretty much food and wine heaven! – including (but not only!) Buca di San Antonio and Da Rosolo (both steps away), Osteria da Pasquale, Chiasso 13, Osteria Nova, Rusticanella 2 da Luca, Tomkat – Enoteca con Cucina and Ciacco Bistro... the list could go on and on!



Very close to fantastic small food and wine shops that make self-catering an utter joy rather than a chore, amongst them OrtoFrutta Lucca Centro (fresh fruit and veg), Macelleria Walter Domenici (butchers), Polleria Volpi (poultry), Il Mercantino (deli), Antica Bottega di Prospero (a variety of wonderful local products), Enoteca Vanni (wine shop), Forno a Vapore Amedeo Giusti (bakery), Meucci Pasticceria and Pinelli (cake shops)... plus there’s a small PAM supermarket just seconds from the apartment.



Also convenient for the annual Lucca Summer Festival held in Piazza Napoleone and the monthly Lucca Antiques Market – one of the most important in the country with more than 200 exhibitors and held on the 3rd Sunday of every month and the preceding Saturday in Piazza Antelminelli, Piazza San Giusto, Piazza Bernardini, Piazza San Giovanni, Piazza San Martino and on the Via del Battistero – happy hunting!



And last but certainly not least, only a 30-minute drive (approx.) to the fashionable beach resort of Forte dei Marmi overlooking the Ligurian Sea, where the Italian glitterati and high society congregate and have historically spent their summers drawn to its golden beaches, exclusive beach clubs, upscale nightlife, and chic shopping.