Villa Gessa, a country villa rental near Bologna, Italy

Ancient Stories and Modern Comforts Converge at Prestigious Villa

Built in the 1600s and restored by its Florentine architect owners, Francesca Garaganani and Carlo Ludovico Poccianti of Archflorence, this heritage estate with its neoclassical façade integrates modern comforts into the region’s elegant aristocratic architecture. An estate reserved for family use for generations, the property now stands as a four-story country manor reimagined to host 16 guests across eight tranquil suites.

The stately home is furnished with antiques and accented by elegant frescos, chandeliers, herringbone floors and artworks. Three bedroom suites come with private bathrooms, while the remaining five suites share spacious bathrooms.

Comfortable common areas for creating memories with loved ones include several living room/den areas, a wine cellar, and lounge spaces equipped with cozy, wood-burning fireplaces.

An outdoor pool spans 152 square meters of the residence’s park-like garden, and there’s an event-friendly manicured lawn for up to 200 people. There is also a barbecue.

Layout

Ground/first floor: Entrance hall, service bathroom, kitchen, breakfast room, dining room, living room, bathroom, blue living room

Second floor: Rosa Suite, shared bathroom with Bambu Suite, Bamboo Suite, Affresco Suite with private bathroom, Contessa Suite with private bathroom

Third floor: Plumbago Suite with private bathroom, Geraneo Suite with shared bathroom with Cardo Suite, stairwell and landing

Fourth floor: Family room, loggia, Otrensia Suite with private bathroom

Outside: Swimming pool with loungers, barbecue, event lawn for up to 200 guests

Experiences

Experiences and services by advance booking include private transport, a chef in villa, a housekeeper, cooking classes in the Emilian tradition, in home yoga sessions, and a garden cocktail hour with live music. An expert event planner can assist in creating your exhibit, corporate event, film set, photo shoot, or wedding or party.

Daily breakfast is offered.

Additional information

Private parking, AC/heat, WiFi, smart TV, washing machine and dryer.

Around

Situated at the foot of the picturesque village of Monteveglio, the villa is only a few kilometers from the notable 12th-century Benedictine Abbey of Monteveglio. The village offers a storybook setting, characterized by cobbled streets, stone houses and a charming central square. Vineyards and cellars stretch out into the landscape beyond the village, where vintners create the local wines of Emilia-Romagna, many offering tours and tasting rooms.

The region’s two primary cities, Bologna and Modena, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering thousand-year histories, unique architecture and renowned culinary traditions.

The property offers a menu of suggestions for adventuring in the area, with recommendations ranging from wineries, to tennis courts, to dairy tours, stables and horseback riding, and museums (Ferrari Museum, Ducati Museum, Lamborghini Museum and Carpigiani Museum). Also not to be missed is the Moorish architectural jewel, Mattei Rocket, nestled in the Bolognese hills nearby.