Baroque Hunting Lodge in Umbria That Once Hosted Galileo Galilei
This historic lodge dates back to 1580 and is located in the picturesque Valle dei Castelli di Baiano in Spoleto, Umbria, set within 235 acres of private parkland which includes wooded hills, olive groves, natural springs, and arable land.
The Baroque hunting lodge is unique as it is the only sixteenth-century example that preserves the original layout, built around two pre-existing dovecote towers connected by a suspended gallery.
The main facade is simple yet elegant, with a lovely doorway framed by columns and topped with a balcony featuring a French window framed with stylish 18th-century moldings.
The 6-bedroom, 10-bath manor house has been meticulously restored by the current owners and the residence features original floors, arches, fountains and period fireplaces in large and sumptuous rooms.
The period property features wonderful frescoes throughout, with works by Guttuso, De Chirico, and Balla, as well as 16th century paintings, and is today also a tourist destination, open to the public during themed events which in recent years have attracted tens of thousands of visitors.
IIt was originally owned by Benedetto Gelosi, a notable merchant from Spoleto, who was known to rub shoulders with scientists who followed heliocentrism.
This included his friend, the Dutchman Johannes van Heeck, one of the founders of the Accademia dei Lincei, one of the oldest and most prestigious European scientific institutions.
Known as Tenuta Galileo, the Baroque hunting lodge is named after its most well-known visitor, the famous Galileo Galilei who is considered the father of modern science.
Galileo visited the estate in 1624 during his visit to the nearby Acquasparta Palace of Prince Federico Cesi (another founder of the Lincei) and Gelosi had a room especially frescoed for him in anticipation of his arrival.
These interactions highlight the estate's importance as a hub for intellectual and scientific discussions during the Renaissance.
Today, the frescoes in "Galileo's Study", the room where Galileo once stayed, remain in excellent condition.
The property includes several outbuildings, such as an old hen house and shelters, which can be converted into additional living spaces. There is also potential to add a swimming pool
The estate also comes with a frescoed, 17th century chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario, flanked by a warehouse and a row of cypress trees that continue along the avenue towards the village of Baiano.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
