At the direction of Dr. Sasha Perugini, Director of Syracuse University in Florence since 2011, this archive was created to serve as a tribute to the Gigliucci family and to their beautiful Villa Rossa, which today provides the foundation for welcoming hundreds of students to Florence each year. Through the The Villa Rossa Archive, Dr. Perugini wishes to present a treasure of historical documents and photos that narrate the history of the Gigliucci family and their beloved Villa, thereby bringing to life the fascinating story behind Syracuse University’s study abroad program in Florence.
As is often the case with things that become so familiar, it is easy to see only the immediate manifestations of the present and overlook the signs that give witness to the past. One of the most rewarding aspects of living in Florence is learning how to open one’s eyes to history. Thus was born the idea to create an archive to bring to light the history of the Villa Rossa, Syracuse University’s home away from home, and the home of the family of Count Mario Gigliucci, who designed and built the house.
Many people have contributed to this small archive through the years and we trust that the work of conservation, celebration, and appreciation will continue. Special thanks go to Betsy Purvis, whose booklet The House of Gigliucci in Florence at Villa Romana and Villa Rossa (1999) has been used here to beautifully narrate the history of the Gigliucci family, the foundations of the Villa Rossa and the origins of the Syracuse University Florence program.