I Tatti

The Harvard-owned villa where Seth works is a truly remarkable place. It really isn't very big--the facility consists of several buildings of varying ages (from mid-1500s to a few new additions), but the property itself is very large and winds through the hills that extend from Florence. Lucky for the rest of us that they try to keep much of the land more-or-less undeveloped, with the exception of the highly maintained gardens and farm. Apparently when the art critic and historian Bernard Berenson left the property to Harvard in the mid-1900s one of the stipulations was that the farm and garden must be kept. As extravagant as the villa is, strangely, it is almost completely hidden, with no real signs marking its location.

Each year I Tatti hosts perhaps 20 appointees, including 15 fellows and a few visiting academics, and houses a relatively large staff of about 40. The staff includes 8 gardeners and farmers, 13 cooks and house staff, 9 librarians, and a bunch of supporting administrators. Besides the beautiful property, many people are attracted to I Tatti for its Renaissance library--the best in the world. There is also a significant art collection and photograph collection left by Berenson. Apparently there was a break-in a number of years ago and since then the entire property has become highly secure, with 8 security guards, video surveillance cameras on every corner, and almost every single door requires a swipe card to enter. Needless to say, I would feel safe leaving my backpack unattended, though I would think twice about sneaking into the kitchen for an extra cookie!

The fellows are treated very well. Every day those who come up are fed a homemade Tuscan-style lunch made with food produced on site, which includes their own olive oil and wine. They also plan events, private museum tours, and two weekend trips. Partners of fellows are invited to some things, but it is really catered to foster the 'fellowship' of the fellows. Everyone here is a Renaissance scholar, but specializing in different fields. Seth, for example, is the only musicologist this year, but he may benefit from collaboration with fellows in Renaissance art history or literature, etc. I mostly like coming up a few days a week to work in Seth's office, enjoy the scenery, be around other people, and have afternoon tea to snack on cookies (these are no ordinary cookies!). The task at hand though will be to figure out how to gain access to the fig trees that dot the property...

Here are some pictures from the farm tour and potluck dinner earlier in the week:

The nondescript garden entrance from the main road

Where they make the wine
Parts of the farm

One of the Sangiovese/Merlot vineyards (left, in the fence) and olive orchard (right).

Some more of the property (I don't think the church on the hill is a part of it, but one of the fellows lives in the yellow building behind it)

There is some story about this old well. I didn't catch it, though.

Grapes juiced to make the sweet Vino Santo

The Limonaia all lit up for the potluck!

Possibly the best potluck ever