La Foce: Paradise in Tuscany

La Foce Paradise in Tuscany by Katia Lysy is a beautifully crafted narrative that tells the story of La Foce, a Renaissance villa and its stunning garden. In 1924, Iris Origo and her husband Antonio purchased the estate with a vision to transform it into a thriving landscape. With the help of architect Cecil Pinsent, they refurbished the house and designed an elegant terraced garden featuring box hedges, rose gardens, fountains, and a wisteria-covered pergola. The dramatic story of La Foce is woven from the letters and diaries of Iris Origo, which provide a personal narrative of the creation of the property. Newly commissioned photographs by Simon Upton and Matteo Carassale bring to life the rich history of the magnificent estate. This book offers a unique glimpse into the lives of those who shaped La Foce's beauty and its enduring legacy. With reminiscences from Benedetta Origo, Katia Lysy shares the story of her grandparents' extraordinary vision and determination, which brought an impoverished terrain to life. A foldout annotated view of the property and recently discovered unpublished images of the garden's creation in the 1920s add depth and context to this captivating tale.