Villa Cattani Stuart is one of the most famous historic residences in the province of Pesaro and Urbino and the Marche region.
The Villa and its fantastic Italian gardens date back to a period between 1630 and 1680 and were desired, designed and completed respectively by Giacomo Cattani, Giuliano Cattani and Carlo Giuseppe Cattani. Who were they? the Cattani?
They were merchants from Stazzona, a town on the slopes of the mountains behind Dongo, on the shores of the “upper” part of Lake Como.

Why was it built?
Naturally, to host the Cattani family in a residence that would bring prestige and value to their name.
At the same time, also to host in the surrounding land the settlers who had the task of cultivating the 10 hectares of land surrounding it, on the fertile and green hills of Trebbiantico, and which also included an olive grove of over 200 plants and its oil mill. Without forgetting its function as a casino for games and hunting, which at the time were real social rituals.

The house fulfilled its task admirably, and was a worthy theatre of two great love stories: the first was that between Pietro Cattani, heir of the family, and Laura Gabardini, scion of one of the most prominent families of Pesaro, from which seven girls and two boys were born; the second was that between Carlo Giuseppe Cattani and Marta Muccioli, scion of another of the richest and most powerful families in Pesaro, a testament to how the Cattanis had by now become protagonists in the social and economic life of the city.

So important that the Papal Legate of Pesaro and Urbino, Alamanno Salviati, chose Villa Cattani as his summer residence from 1717 to 1726, a period that represented the residence's peak of splendor. Who were the Papal Legates?
The representatives of the Pope and the Papal State on the territory, prefect, administrator and judge of the province.
For nine years Villa Cattani was at the centre of the political, social and economic life of the province as well as a place of diplomatic meetings between Cardinal Salviati and political and religious representatives from other provinces of Italy and from abroad.

Among these meetings, one was particularly important due to the calibre of the guest. It happened October 6, 1726, when Cardinal Salviati decided to host at Villa Cattani James III Stuart, fourth son of James II, the Catholic king of England exiled by the Protestant William of OrangeAn heir to the throne of England, in Pesaro, with his court of 80 members. James III, with his sons, the last heirs of the Stuarts, are now buried in St. Peter's in the Vatican Grottoes, commemorated with a monument by Canova.

After the death of Marianna Cattani in 1802, the last heir of the Cattani family, who married Marquis Giovanni Paolucci, the villa never returned to the family that gave it its name. The family's history deserves a separate chapter. Paolucci, who lived in the villa, as well as the family Bolis, the family Come and the family Marconi, but for this, we invite you to read the book dedicated to the villa, available at the hotel. Curious? Come and experience the history of the Villa firsthand by visiting and staying there like the ancient and noble guests.

Today it is the Tomassini-Guidi family that keeps alive the architectural nobility of the building and the precious harmony of the "celebrated" Italian gardens that surround it.Do you want to know them? Click here.