Once a summer retreat for Count Cosimo Bernardini, Villa Lenka has stood gracefully in the southern hills of Lucca since 1624. Surrounded by the quiet rhythm of olive groves and cypress-lined paths, the villa holds centuries of stories beneath its tiled roof. The Bernardini family, prominent figures in Lucca’s history, served as Gonfaloniers of the Republic no fewer than 72 times between 1388 and 1798, a lineage of civic devotion stretching from Giovanni to Cosimo. Their influence extended from elegant palazzi in the city to noble countryside estates like this one. Even as the tides of power shifted, when Napoleon’s sister Elisa Bonaparte ruled the Principality of Lucca, the Bernardinis remained close to the heart of power: Federico Bernardini served as aide to Duke Felice Baciocchi, while Eleonora de Nobili, Federico’s wife, became lady-in-waiting to the Duchess herself. Today, Villa Lenka invites you to trace their legacy in peace and seclusion, where history lingers gently in the Tuscan breeze. Set amid sculpted Italian gardens and framed by centuries-old cypress and gently weeping willows, Villa Lenka is an aristocratic 17th-century estate that speaks to a quieter, more refined way of living. With seven expansive bedrooms (five doubles and two twins), each elegantly appointed and fully air-conditioned, the villa accommodates up to 14 guests in timeless comfort. Inside, grand frescoed salons, antique furnishings, and curated details reflect the heritage of a noble past, while thoughtful modern touches, such as high-speed Wi-Fi, satellite TV, and climate-controlled rooms, ensure an effortless stay. Each floor reveals its own rhythm: three spacious living rooms, four fully equipped kitchens (including a traditional Tuscan main kitchen), and refined dining areas for 10 to 12 guests. The ambience is both intimate and impressive, with a breakfast room for leisurely mornings, a card room for unhurried afternoons, and a library for quiet escape. A wood-burning oven lies hidden in the cellar, waiting to revive the age-old rituals of Italian cooking. Outside, the villa’s grounds unfold like a private park, two tranquil ponds fed by a natural brook, water features that echo with stillness, and a shaded gazebo perfect for afternoon aperitifs. The 20-meter floodlit pool invites moonlit swims, while alfresco dining areas offer elegant space for long, candlelit evenings. With private covered parking and understated service, Villa Lenka is less a retreat and more a return, to slowness, beauty, and the enduring soul of Tuscany.