Villa Paolina is a gorgeous summer residence constructed for Napoleon’s sister in 1822. It offers stunning views of the Parco Dei Bambini and is just one block from the Mediterranean Sea. The legend goes that Paolina Bonaparte was a great admirer of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose body washed up on the shore of Viareggio that same year. The villa was built in his honour.
The villa was recently reopened to the public after years of extensive renovations. It is now home to the Civic Museums of Villa Paolina and a gallery of modern art. Learn about indigenous people and their tools in the Museo Archeologico. Examine the intriguing array of Palaeolithic and Neolithic items, such as bronze objects and pottery. Peruse the collection of historical musical instruments on display from across the globe in the Museo Strumenti Musicali. One of the main attractions is the intricately decorated pocket violin.
The structure of the villa is considered a work of art. Marvel at the two-storey building that stretches across an entire block of the city. See its lavish interior courtyard, garden and citrus grove.
See the ornate murals portraying scenes from across the world in many of the rooms. Take a tour of the State Rooms to appreciate the period design. Note how the bedrooms and salons all face the beach with large windows and picturesque vistas of the Mediterranean Sea. Book a viewing of artist Alfredo Catarsini’s studio, where he painted for half a century until he died in 1993. It is preserved with the painter’s original fittings and works of art.
The opening hours of the museum vary year-round. You can check the schedule online or ask locally. There is an entrance fee.
You can find the Villa Paolina in the centre of the city. It is a short walk from the sea and a collection of shops and bistros.
