VILLA CAMPI, NEAR FLORENCE 
PLATES S3, 54 
OT far from the little town of Signa is the Villa Campi, an extensive villa 
planned upon the summit of a small hill, laid out by one of the Pucci 
family; it is an interesting study of a late sixteenth-century villa. Following 
a steep and somewhat rough roadway, we reach the entrance to the villa. 
From here the method of approach is simple, and at the same time 
most ingenious. The principal roadway leads to the north of the villa, 
whence three drives branch off, the central and steeper one being used for 
visitors on foot or horseback, whilst those to right and left, having an easier gradient, are 
intended for carriage traffic. The summit of the hill is occupied by the casino, which, principally 
for the sake of symmetry, is divided into two parts, and the service portion of the house is 
divided from the casino proper, which in many respects is a distinct gain. Between the 
two buildings there is the flower garden, laid out in simple compartments, with a charming 
display of old-world flowers, making a gay picture from the windows of the house. This little 
parterre is surrounded upon three sides by a terrace raised some few feet; below is another grass 
terrace, with a stairway and path, ending finally with an octagonal pool, in the midst of which a 
satyr, lustily blowing a horn, sends upwards a sparkling jet of water; here is a balcony and 
stairway marking the termination of the garden proper, and giving a charming vista over gently 
undulating slopes, rich in olive woods and vineyards, with the main axial line of the design 
continued by a fine avenue of impressive cypresses stretching up their silvery limbs—quite a 
dominating feature of the whole place. 
The plan on Plate 42, which has been made from notes kindly lent by Professor Castelucci, 
of Florence, shows the clever management of the approach drives, and when studied in conjunction 
with the section, it will be seen how well the designer has succeeded in sheltering the casino by 
means of ilex woods towards the north and east, leaving the south and west, where there 
are beautiful views, more or less open. At the extreme south-east is an open circular space 
whence a fine view of the valley of the Arno is obtained towards Florence, some ten miles 
distant. Statues are to be seen everywhere—an emerald pool guarded by a moss-covered figure of 
Pan, solemn figures of gods and goddesses, nymphs and satyrs, calm and passionless, watching 
only the seasons change. The whole place seems much neglected, and few now pace the terraced 
walks or sit in the shade of the ilex woods, which we can fancy was once peopled by a gay and 
fashionable world. 
( 8 ? ) Y 
