This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

This villa was built on a pre-existing farmhouse that belonged to Badia Fiesolana; it was transformed into a noble residence in the XIX century. The name “Riposo dei Vescovi” comes from the fact that several bishops used to briefly stop here during their journeys to Fiesole.
In 1926, it became the residence of the Dutch painter, engraver and architect Wynand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp; after long journeys in the Dutch Indies and some wanderings in Italy, he was attracted by the mild climate and the beautiful landscape, therefore “WOIN” (so he used to initialize each of his works) chose Fiesole to create what he used to call “La Villa sulla Collina” (“The villa on the hill”). For twenty-five years he personally took care of the decoration of the villa and had the park enlarged according to an eclectic and imaginative taste. To this outstanding endeavour he dedicated two volumes: the first full of photos, the second rich in drawings.

THE VILLA

From the entrance gate, visitors can admire the south side of the building, decorated with a large two-tiered loggia with busts, urns and ancient lanterns. Upstairs, there is another loggia with small columns supporting the eaves. Towards the garden, on the lower level, there is a further loggia, with several reliefs and epigraphs carved into the masonry.

On the north side, at a higher level, there is a large rectangular basin that overlooks a forepart with six large arched sections closed by windows and surmounted by a luminous terrace.

THE GARDEN

Fountains, statues, and marble decorations are scattered everywhere, as per Nieuwenkamp’s desire and taste.

Covering about 12.35-acres, the garden is divided by a 754-ft long avenue of cypresses, and is structured on various terraces enclosed by box hedges, cypress, and laurel; it is also connected by stone stairways, which run along the very hillside.

Some terraces are lawned and decorated with rose banksiae (Rosa banksiae) and wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) pergolas, as well as box hedges (Buxus sempervirens), and spontaneous wildflowers.
Along the avenue, there are several stone furnishings. First of all, two female busts, followed by a multi-storey fountain, then an elliptical clearing, surrounded by cypresses and furnished with circular seats; another tiered fountain, close to the surrounding wall, ends the path with a theatrical backdrop.
Further on, there is an orchard and a vegetable garden with a row of vines on a pergola.

Many peculiar oriental objects and statues collected by Nieuwenkamp are displayed as well: for instance, a bronze gong near the entrance, a statue of Buddha near the painter’s tombstone, several other sculptures, and busts.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)