VILLA BONDI, 
NEAR FLORENCE 
PLATE 52 
NE of the most interesting villas in the immediate neighbourhood of Florence 
is the Villa Bondi, or the Villa of Garofano in Camerata, standing on the 
old high road leading to Fiesole. Very much of the old house is still 
retained, and has been carefully restored by the present owner, Signor Bondi; 
but no part is more characteristic than the open garden loggia shown on 
Plate 52, with its painted rafters and supporting beams, which overlooks the 
parterre garden. At the present day the gardens have been allowed to lose 
much of their original character; but it is proposed that they should be restored to their probable 
appearance in the ‘ Cinquecento,’ and doubtless, when this work is carried out, the old casino 
will have a far more worthy garden setting, and one more in character with its interesting 
architecture. 
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