Open House at NYU’s Villa La Pietra & Garden

NYU Florence (Via Bolognese 120, accessible via bus 25 from San Marco) will be offering the public free guided tours of the magnificent palace, Villa La Pietra, and the beautiful, adjacent gardens for six days:  Monday, Oct. 15 through Saturday, Oct. 20. The opportunity will be in English and Italian, by appointment only; to reserve a spot call 055/5007210 or send an email to villa.lapietra@nyu.edu. Along with the tours, guests can also visit a special exhibition.

Harold in China, 1932-1939: Photographs from the Acton Collection, which can only be seen by appointment through Dec. 2. The exhibition, along with the photographs, includes books, sculptures, objects of use, and Chinese textiles belonging to the family that were gathered by Harold Acton in China. To honor Harold’s time in Asia, NYU has curated this two-month-long show.

Arthur Acton purchased the villa and the property in 1903 and a year later Sir Harold Acton, who was the last owner of La Pietra, was born. From 1932 to 1939, Harold Acton lived in China where he translated Chinese plays, lectured, and immersed himself in the culture. In 1939, he decided to go back to Florence to his villa, which he finally inherited after his father’s death in 1953.

When Acton died in 1994, he willed Villa La Pietra to New York University which now offers a myriad of courses — such as art history, history, literature, and cinema  and more– for their students.  Since receiving the bequest, NYU has preserved the land according to its original 1930s appearance, including the formal Italian garden with statues, commissioned by Arthur Acton and his wife, Hortense Mitchell.  (beatrice paolucci)