A historic feast at Villa San Michele

Florence offers a wealth of dining options, but enjoying exceptional food at a historic venue like Villa San Michele, with its six-century legacy, turns the meal into an unforgettable culinary experience, similar to what you would find at La Loggia.

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable dining adventure at a historic 15th-century monastery nestled on a serene, wooded hillside just below the ancient village of Fiesole, only 8 kilometers from Florence's city center? Welcome to Villa San Michele, a Belmond hotel. As you pass through its facade, inspired by Michelangelo, you will be welcomed by the lush surroundings where Leonardo da Vinci first experimented with flight, a collection of modern and classical art, stunning views of Florence and the restaurant La Loggia, which promises an extraordinary dining experience amidst this remarkable setting. But before diving into the culinary delights, let us explore the fascinating history of this magnificent building.

Villa San Michele's, story began in the early years of the 15th century, when the benevolent Davanzati family entrusted this storied site to an order of Franciscans. Fifteenth-century Florence thrummed with merchants, bankers, artists and a deep spirituality. It was common for noble families to finance religious buildings and endeavors. So it was that the "Convento di San Michele alla Doccia" came into being, funded by one of the most distinguished and powerful Florentine dynasties, the Davanzatis.

The second half of the 16th century saw flourishing creativity in Florence, with many artists and architects involved in palatial projects for the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I de' Medici. It was in this esthetic atmosphere that La Doccia's greatest benefactor, Messer Giovanni di...