“In the heart of Posillipo lying on the sea, stands one of the most beautiful properties in all of Naples: Villa La Pagoda.
Built between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Villa La Pagoda was originally an ancient hunting lodge for migratory birds.
The structure is very particolar, overlooking the sea as it does. The terraces are spectacular, to say the least:
220 square meters of surface on 3 levels. This panorama is completed by the descent to the sea through ancient Roman caves, and up to an authentic “natural pool” and a private dock that makes the villa easily accessible by boat from the port of Naples, without the need to deal with city traffic. ”
(Napoli Today)
“The particolar feature that makes this dwelling unique is its lack of corners and the curvilinear shape of its rooms. At the crest of the Pagoda an unusual study was created with a single window surrounded only by the terrace and the sea. Then there is the private access to the sea and walkway that, through ancient Roman caves, reaches a natural swimming pool and landing place that makes the villa accessible also by boat. On the first floor are two semicircular bedrooms, both with double access to the surrounding terrace and served by a bathroom. The second floor is intended for the master bedroom with an en-suite bathroom characterized by five pointed arch windows three of which frame Vesuvius, Castel dell’Ovo and the island of Capri, just like a picture. The lack of corners and the curvilinear shape of the rooms is singular. There is also a small study obtained in the crest the Pagoda: a sort of “think tank” with a single window, surrounded only by the terrace and the immensity of the sea. The outdoor terraces and hanging gardens with olive, pine trees and other essences seem to touch the water. ”
“this villa of delights was built on the Posillipo hill in 1814 and bought by Michele Fiorillo and Giuseppe Pucci. The Duke of Roccaromana wanted to add a pagoda, a quirk to embellish his property in accordance to the fashion of the time, and he wanted it in that eclectic style that can be found in so many noble residences in that period. An aristocratic whim to host breakfasts a few steps from the rocks which was accessed by a spiral staircase that wound around the trunk of a tree. It seems that the whole villa was intended solely for pleasure. In fact there were no living spaces: the Duke of Roccaromana cultivated rare plants; botanical species that he brought from afar, and collected exotic animals, both live and stuffed, and organized parties in the tuffa caves on the sea. At the end of the nineteenth century the villa was purchased by the Le Mesurier family of Birkenhead, who made it their summer residence. It then passed to the baroness of Castel Foce Helen Anne de Gemmis Le Mesurier. Today, after various transformations, the villa is divided into many luxury apartments with different owners. The Pagoda is on an offshoot of the tuffa that touches the sea, wide open to the sun, the sea and the song of the seagulls. ”
(Linkable)