Sacred and profane myths constitute the two polarities of this villa blending in the landscape of the Sienese countryside. A marvellous setting whose realization can be partly attributed to a Cardinal, the nephew of Pope Alexander VII.
The villa was first commissioned by Cardinal Flavio Chigi, a member of the rich and powerful Sienese family of bankers. Eventually the property passed to his nephew Bonaventura Chigi Zondadari (1652-1719), promoter of a widespread ascetic movement in the Sienese area. The construction works which started in 1676 and continued until 1716, were entrusted to the architect Carlo Fontana, a pupil of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. At the end of a long cypress-tree axis crossing the property, the symbols of sacred and profane Virtue face each other: on one side the statue of Hercules, hero of Good and a pagan symbol of Virtue, on the other the Romitoriohermitage with the Cross of Christ on its prospect, affording sweeping views of the entire complex and its beautifully preserved sorrounding landscape. In addition to the main rectilinear path, crossing a very ancient oak wood there is the winding circular Tebaide path (finalized by Bonaventura), which surrounds the villa and is adorned by statues of hermits attributed to the sculptor Giuseppe Mazzuoli, and aedicules depicting the stages of Christ’s life. Lord Lambton, owner of the villa since 1977, has restored the building and recently created an English style garden of herbaceous perennials.
Highlights
The chapel
By the villa there is a chapel dedicated to Saint Eustace who converted to Christianity after a vision of the Cross between the antlers of a deer. The presence of this chapel adds a spiritual touch to the woodland landscape in which Villa Centinale is set.
The Romitorio
The most visually remarkable element of the property, the Romitorio hermitage is set at the end of a long “holy stairway” connecting it to the villa. On its prospect, a large double cross is set in a colossal arched aedicule with the busts of the Evangelists at the ends of the crossbeams and a bust of Christ at the top of the vertical arm. Possibly planned during Flavio Chigi’s period, it was realised in Bonaventura Chigi Zondadari’s time.
The Tebaide
The long annular Station of the Cross path inside and outside the Tebaide, is marked by seven aedicules, dedicated to episodes of life of Christ, from the Nativity to the Deposition (and perhaps also the Resurrection). Also part of the decorative apparatus are statues of hermits (Saint Jerome and Saint John the Baptist guarding the entrances) and some animals carved in the rock.
The new garden
Lord Lambton’s sons have recently continued the work, creating a large new garden with a geometrical layout, with cone-shaped topiary and cypress trees creating a number of green rooms.