Villa Bertelli

Villa Bertelli in Forte dei Marmi has served as an industrial headquarters, an artists' hotel and a cultural centre. Its coastal garden, exhibitions and concert programme preserve a distinctive part of the town's modern history.

Why it matters

The villa began as the headquarters of S.I.P.E., an explosives company that supplied the marble quarries. Ilio Bertelli acquired it in 1926 and turned it into a hotel frequented by painters and sculptors. The Comune purchased the property in 2002 and restored it as a cultural centre.

What to notice

The grounds preserve dune terrain and Mediterranean scrub, a reminder of the coastal landscape that preceded the resort's development. The Museo d'Arte Moderna Quarto Platano, opened in 2024, presents around sixty works by artists connected with Versilia between the wars, including Carrà, Dazzi, De Grada, Funi and Soffici.

Context and history

The complex took shape between 1891 and 1896 under engineer Ferdinando Quartieri. After its hotel years, the building declined until its municipal acquisition and restoration. Villa Bertelli now serves as a cultural venue, and its park hosts summer concerts.