Villa Raffaelli is a building dating back to 1582, and it was built on an old medieval fortified structure. It was the noble Raffaelli family’s country villa, perhaps the most important family of Fosciandora. Many of its members have brought honor to the town.
Antonio (1783-1860) made a major career in the civil service of the Duchy of Lucca, and he gained the hereditary nobility with the Decree of October 12, 1839.
His brother Pietro (1791-1866) was an instructor for the children of the Duke of Modena Francesco IV, and then became Bishop of Carpi, and then of Reggio Emilia.
Another brother Paolo (nt. 1793) was Mayor of Fosciandora and practiced until his later years as a notary.
Antonio’s firstborn was Raffaello (1813-1883), remembered as one of the leading historians of Garfagnana. After studying humanities in Lucca, he graduated in law at the College of Legal studies in Modena. He had several administrative positions in Massa on behalf of the Duchy of Este. He was Councilor and Mayor of Fosciandora. He was the author of many publications, among which the main one has undoubtedly been the "geographical, historical, economic description of Garfagnana" published in 1879 by Giusti Typography of Lucca.
Giovanni (1828-1869) and Pietro (1817-1866) were renowned writers. Nicola (1839-1912), son of Raffaello, despite the notary diploma, never practiced the profession. He devoted himself to the catholic cause. He stood out at the Pope’s court and he received lots of praises both from Pio IX and from Leone XIII, and he was also knighted. From Cristina Raffaellimarried Scapinelli, was born Raffaele, former Apostolic Nuncio in Vienna, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, who died in 1934.
Villa Raffaelli, currently owned by the Fiori family, it is now rented out as a luxurious holiday home.
