BENCISTA'

The history of Bencistà During the first half of the 14th century this villa belonged to a famous Florentine named Bartolomeo di Niccolò. It was later owned by Bartolomeo di Filippo Valori, who was closely connected to the Medici family. He acted as commissioner to Pope Clemente VII during the siege of Florence in 1530. 

Valori was made a Senator by Alexander de’ Medici, but as a reaction to the Duke’s infamy, he joined forces with those fighting for freedom in Montemurlo. On the 20th August 1537 Valori was beheaded and his possessions were confiscated by Cosimo I. The villa which was then known as «Villa del Morone» was sold in 1542 to one of the most faithful supporters of the Medici family, Bishop Raffaello Minerbetti. It was given the name Bencistà. 

In the following century it came into the possession of the Ficiati family. In 1759 it belonged to the Sisters of St. Anne of the Fields and was used as a convent for about 150 years. The oldest parts of the house are the hall and the tower. Later the house was bought by a succession of people until, in 1925, Pietro Simoni bought it from the son of the Swiss painter Arnold Böcklin. 

It was the Simoni family who converted it to a guest house and built extensions. At present, Pensione Bencistà is a «limited company» managed by Simone and Carla Simoni, together with their youngest daughter, Beatrice with the help of her husband Daniele; and her elder sister, Chiara, when her role as a doctor permits her to dedicate some time do so. In addition, Beatrice and Daniele’s two children Giulio and Maria and Chiara’s four children - Pietro, Anna, Laura, and Elena - lend a helping hand whenever their study and free-time commitments permit. The future of Pensione Bencistà is ultimately in the handsof the fifth generation.