Torre di Ghibellini

Tower of the Ghibellines

The Torre di Ghibellini (Tower of the Ghibellines) is the oldest structure on the Villa I Busini estate and is thought to have been constructed as a watchtower during the Staufer Dynasty in the 13th century or “duecento” as the Italians say when referring to the 1200s. It’s believed that the Villa was later built around this original structure.

The ground floor of The Torre di Ghibellini has been meticulously transformed into a charming hall and the original window opens up into the Atrium. 

Once a window, today’s delightful window seat offers plush cushions and a secluded space to relax and enjoy the views, as an oversized replica of Petrus Christus’ early Renaissance painting, Portrait of a Young Girl, gracefully watches over you.

On the first floor, Torre Di Ghibellini forms an impressive hallway, where the walls are hand painted in the Trompe-l'œil style, so popular during the Renaissance era. Trompe-l'œil is an art technique that uses realistic imagery to create an optical illusion of three dimensional objects. The fascination with this type of perspective drawing arose during the Renaissance and many Italian painters of the 14th century, such as Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506) and Melozzo da Forlì (1438–1494), began painting illusionistic ceiling paintings, generally in fresco, to create the impression of greater space.

The tower is the tallest part of Villa I Busini and its second and third floor now house the Averardo Tower Suite. 

Parts of the original stone structure are still visible in the Averardo Tower Suite and in the Simone Grand Suite, providing authentic evidence of a bygone era.