In 1882, famed poet Percy Bysshe Shelley drowned off the coast of Viareggio when his schooner capsized in a storm. That same year, Napoleon’s sister Paolina Bonaparte built a summer home next to the Mediterranean. It is said that Paolina, who was an admirer of Shelley’s work, chose to build her villa where Shelley’s body washed ashore as a tribute to the late poet.
The villa, which has undergone extensive renovations in recent years, is now open to the public and houses a contemporary art gallery and the Civic Museums of Villa Paolina. Explore the Museo Archeologico’s collections of Palaeolithic and Neolithic artefacts, such as pottery shards and arrowheads, and learn about ancient tribes. In the Museo Strumenti Musicali, see a wide variety of musical instruments from around the globe. One of the highlights of this collection is an intricately decorated pocket violin, called a pochete.
The structure of the villa is a marvel in itself. Though only two-stories high, the villa covers a full city block. In the centre of the villa is a lovely courtyard, containing a citrus grove and a garden.
Paolina commissioned murals for many of the rooms in the villa. These magnificent paintings depict scenes from around the world. To see excellent examples of period décor, visit the State Rooms. The villa was designed so that the bedrooms and salons face the sea. As you tour the villa gaze out the expansive windows at the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean. Visitors who make an appointment ahead of time can see the upstairs studio of Italian artist Alfredo Catarsini. This studio, where Catarsini painted for over 50 years until his death in 1993, is still decorated with Catarsini’s original furnishings and artwork and has been perfectly preserved.
Villa Paolina is located in the centre of Viareggio and is a short walk from the ocean and a number of excellent shops and restaurants.
There is a small entrance fee to visit the villa. The hours of operation vary throughout the year, so check online or call before you visit.
