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Pensione Bencista
Via Benedetto da Maiano, 4
50014 Fiesole - Florence - Italy
Nestled on a hill overlooking the Arno valley, in a splendid panoramic setting, Fiesole dates back to ancient times as we can see from the vast archeological area with ruins of the Etruscan temple and walls, the Roman theater and baths and the Museo Civico that contains many excavated items. The Gothic Cathedral of San Romolo (12th century) and the Basilica of Sant'Alessandro, the oldest in the city, are places of interest. The Museo Bandini, with its collection of paintings by Italian artists from the 13th to 15th century and the Museo Primo Conti, with oils and drawings by the recently deceased Florentine artist, are both worth a visit.
During the first half of the 14th century this villa belonged to a famous Florentine named Bartolomeo di Niccolò. It was later owned by Bartolomeo di Filippo Valori, who was closely connected to the Medici family. He acted as commissioner to Pope Clemente VII during the siege of Florence in 1530. Valori was made a Senator by Alexander de' Medici, but as a reaction to the Duke's infamy, he joined forces with those fighting for freedom in Montemurlo. On the 20th August 1537 Valori was beheaded and his possessions were confiscated by Cosimo I. The villa which was then known as "Villa del Morone" as sold in 1542 to one of the most faithful supporters of the Medici family, Bishop Raffaello Minerbetti. It was given the name Bencistà. In the following century it came into the possession of the Ficiati family. In 1759 it belonged to the Sisters of St. Anne of the Fields and was used as a Covent for about 150 years.
Later the house was owned by a succession of people until 1925, when Pietro Simoni and his wife bought it from the son of the Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin. Carlo Böcklin was devoted to painting and had his studio in a loggia (now room 34), dominated by the father's bust. It was the Simoni family who converted the villa into a guest house and built extensions.
The Pensione Bencistà opened in the spring of 1927 and remained active without interruption up through late 1940, after the onset of World War II. For about two years the villa was simply the residence of some family members. Then in 1942 it was requisitioned to house the Meyer Paediatric Hospital, which was situated in Florence just beside the railway, in a dangerous place exposed to the risk of bombing. The war in Italy ended on April 25, 1945, but the Pensione Bencistà reopened to guests only in early 1947, after two years of exhausting but necessary restoration of the building and rearrangement of the furniture and decorations.From 1954 the management was of Simone and Carla. Both together have worked at Bencistà for over fifty years.
The hotel is managed by Simone & Carla together with their youngest daughter, Beatrice with the help of her husband Daniele; and her elder sister, Chiara, when her role as a doctor permits her to dedicate some time do so. In addition, Beatrice and Daniele’s two children Giulio and Maria and Chiara’s four children - Pietro, Anna, Laura, and Elena - lend a helping hand whenever their study and free-time commitments permit. The future of Pensione Bencistà is ultimately in the hands of the fifth generation.Services
Cuisine
We serve typically Tuscan food, made with genuine ingredients,
according to the recipes and habits of the traditional Florentine family, with some
contributions from international and Italian regional cooking.
RATES 2011
Single Room from 89 Euro
Double Room for Single Use from 130 Euro
Double room from 158 Euro
Junior Suite from 210 Euro
Suite with a View from 250 Euro
*Rates include VAT, service, & breakfast. A light lunch & dinner can be included in the rates for a supplement.
To see photos of Pensione Bencista please click here.
To view directions & a map of the area surrounding the Pensione Bencista please click here.
For more information or to schedule your stay please contact:
Small & Elegant Hotels, International
801 Monroe NW, Suite 104
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
TEL: (616) 844-6000 / FAX: (616) 844-6042
E-Mail: res@smallandeleganthotels.com