Villa Ruspoli
Villa Ruspoli, home to the Paolo Grossi Center for the Study of Modern Legal Thought, is located at Piazza Indipendenza 9, Florence. Experience the unique charm of this historic villa surrounded by beautiful gardens, where elegant 19th century architecture creates the perfect setting for academic dialogue. Join us in the prestigious Sala Rossa for the third day of our conference!
DATE
May 10
LOCATION
Piazza Indipendenza 9
TIME
9:30 - 13:00
ROOM
Sala Rossa
Map & Directions
Find Villa Ruspoli on Google Maps for directions from your location.
Open in Google MapsTransport Options
Tram
Take the T1 tram to the 'Strozzi-Fallaci' stop. From there, it's a short 5-minute walk to Piazza Indipendenza.
Car
Parking is available in the nearby underground parking at Piazza della Libertà. Please note that Villa Ruspoli is within the ZTL (limited traffic zone), so check access restrictions before driving.
Plane
From Peretola Airport, take the T2 tram to Santa Maria Novella, then transfer to the T1 tram to Strozzi-Fallaci. Alternatively, a taxi will take approximately 20 minutes to reach Villa Ruspoli.
Train
From Santa Maria Novella train station, you can take a 15-minute walk to Villa Ruspoli or board the T1 tram to Strozzi-Fallaci stop. Villa Ruspoli is also walkable from Campo di Marte station.
Historical Significance
Villa Ruspoli stands distinctively on the southern side of Piazza dell'Indipendenza. Unlike other buildings surrounding the square, it is uniquely set within an expansive garden, contravening the regulatory plan that called for aligned and compact façades without green spaces in front.
Originally built for the Barbolani da Montauto family, the villa later became property of the Gondi family, and since 1865, passed to the Ruspoli family. The latter undertook various expansion and embellishment projects. During the Ruspoli ownership, the residence housed Francisco Goya's painting "The Family of the Infante Don Luis," purchased by the Magnani Rocca Foundation in 1974.
The building develops over two floors with five axes, with an additional structure on its right side. One of the three large French doors bears a shield with the Ruspoli coat of arms. Today, Villa Ruspoli houses various offices and study centers of the University of Florence, including the prestigious Paolo Grossi Center for the Study of Modern Legal Thought.
Sala Rossa
The Sala Rossa (Red Room) of Villa Ruspoli is one of the villa's most elegant conference spaces. Named for its distinctive red upholstery and decorative elements, this room provides a refined setting that combines historical charm with modern conference facilities.
With excellent acoustics and comfortable seating, the Sala Rossa creates an intimate yet professional atmosphere perfectly suited for academic presentations and scholarly discussions. The room is equipped with modern audiovisual equipment while preserving its 19th century architectural details.
On May 10th, the third day of our conference will take place in this distinguished venue from 9:30 to 13:00, offering participants a unique opportunity to engage in intellectual exchange within one of Florence's most historically significant academic spaces.
Paolo Grossi (1933-2022)
Paolo Grossi was a distinguished Italian legal scholar, historian of law, and judge who made fundamental contributions to the understanding of legal systems and their historical development. Born in Florence on January 29, 1933, he served as a Professor of History of Medieval and Modern Law at the University of Florence for many years, where he established himself as a leading authority on legal history.
In 2009, President Giorgio Napolitano appointed Grossi to the Constitutional Court of Italy, where he later served as President from 2016 to 2018. His scholarly work focused on the historicity of law and the complex relationship between law and society, advocating for an understanding of legal systems beyond rigid formalism. He was particularly known for his studies on medieval law, property rights, and European legal traditions.
Grossi authored numerous influential books and articles throughout his career, including "A History of European Law," and received prestigious recognitions such as the gold medal of the Italian Order of Merit for Culture and Art and the Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. His intellectual legacy continues to influence legal scholarship, and the center bearing his name at the University of Florence stands as a testament to his enduring contributions to the study of modern legal thought.
Special Thanks
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Department of Law of the University of Florence for allowing us to host the third day of our conference in the prestigious Villa Ruspoli, home of the Paolo Grossi Center for the Study of Modern Legal Thought.
Their generous support and collaboration have made it possible for our participants to engage in scholarly discussions in this historically significant venue, enriching our conference experience and honoring the intellectual legacy of Paolo Grossi.