Villa Agape dates back to Mediaeval times, when it was built as a simple country home.

In 1469 the property belonged to Bartolomeo di Matteo who in 1472 bequeathed it to the nuns of San Paolo di Pinti. In 1547 it changed hands, going to Jacopo di Raffaello del Nente and successively to Giuliano di Filippo Arrighetti in 1602. From then on, the Villa was known as Villa Arrighetti.

However, Villa Arrighetti owes its final structure and its present-day splendour to Duchess Anna D’Orléans, widow of Amedeo Duca d’Aosta, who purchased it in 1948 from Ms. Royle Cladyf, daughter of George Macleam, and who adorned it with gardens, statues and fountains.

In 1968, Duchess Anna D’Orléans turned the Villa into the home of the Suore Stabilite nella Carità (Sisters of Charity), creating a structure dedicated to works of cultural and spiritual hospitality.

The Sisters changed the Villa’s name to Villa Agape, from the Greek word for “banquet” or “repast”.

The Sisters were there up until 2014, and from 2015, under new management and following the extensive renovation of all its interiors, Villa Agape has become a wonderful hotel on the Florentine hills.