- The estate, located a few miles outside Florence, Italy, has been listed for $19.6 million.
- This 30,138-square-foot property includes 14 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, a private chapel, swimming pool, tennis court, and various additional structures.
- The villa belonged to the family of Francesco del Giocondo, husband of the Mona Lisa, and later to the Antinori family.
The grand estate of the real Mona Lisa, known as Via della Prata, is up for sale, offering a rare opportunity to own a piece of history.
Here’s how much it will cost to own Mona Lisa’s Florence family home
Nestled in the picturesque Florentine countryside, Via della Prata spans a massive 30,138 square feet and sits on nearly 67 acres of land.
As listed by Sotheby’s International, the property features 14 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, and various amenities, including a private chapel, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and numerous additional buildings.
The main villa is a testament to sixteenth-century architecture and has been meticulously maintained and restored over the years.
The estate boasts grand gardens designed by the renowned English architect Cecil Pinsent, giving it the feel of a true historical park.
The gardens are adorned with roses, tall trees, and symmetrical flowerbeds, leading to a majestic cypress tree-lined avenue that directs visitors to the villa’s entrance.
Inside, the villa spans three floors and a basement. The ground floor includes a large entrance hall, five lounges, a dining room, and a kitchen.
The first floor houses the sleeping quarters, featuring five bedrooms, a library, and a balcony with a panoramic view of Florence.
The upper floors include additional bedrooms, a fitness room, and a large terrace offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The truth about the Mona Lisa painting
The painting “Mona Lisa,” known in Italian as “La Gioconda,” is believed to depict Lisa del Giocondo, the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant, Francesco del Giocondo.
However, the identity of the woman in the painting has been the subject of much debate.
Renaissance art historian Giorgio Vasari wrote that Leonardo undertook to paint the portrait of the Mona Lisa at the request of her husband.
The title “Mona Lisa” comes from the Italian “Monna Lisa,” which means “Lady Lisa.”
Lisa del Giocondo was a member of the Gherardini family of Florence and Tuscany.
The painting is thought to have been commissioned to celebrate the birth of her second son, Andrea.
Despite the long-standing belief that Lisa del Giocondo is the subject, alternative theories propose other women, including Isabella of Aragon and Cecilia Gallerani, as potential muses for the portrait.
The “Mona Lisa” has captured the imagination of art enthusiasts and historians for centuries.
Leonardo’s technique, particularly his use of sfumato (the technique of allowing tones and colours to shade gradually into one another), creates a lifelike and captivating image.
The painting’s enigmatic expression has led to countless interpretations and studies.
