The historical re-enactment with the Le Vie del Tempo association is back for the seventh consecutive year, again in mid-September as per tradition but with a great and substantial novelty: time travel in period costume will finally be allowed to all those who they will pass the selection!

Visiting the Villa Reale complex in Lucca is once again the ideal opportunity to take a journey through time, letting yourself be enchanted by the water features, resting under the fronds of weeping willows, sitting along the shores of the lake and strolling among tableaux vivants which will recreate the ancient atmospheres and will revive the most splendid periods of the past of this unique place, so full of stories to tell.

HISTORICAL REENACTMENT 2023 – INVITATION TO GO BACK IN TIME TO VILLA REALE!

” If a garden can be made into a land of illusion, why refuse” Luis Carrogis de Carmontelle

For centuries, the garden has been a place of pleasure and entertainment, where all its components, from the flowers, to the fountains, up to the chirping of birds combined to amuse and fascinate the landlord and his guests.
With the spirit of “frivolity” characterized by the rococo, the garden becomes a place of recreation, where among games, swings, banquets in the open air, one walks and converses while having a good time. The meadows become the fields where to organize croquet matches, archery competitions, cheerful games of blind man’s buff, ideal spaces where to raise “turque” tents following the new fashions coming from the East.

A new journey through time, this time between the 1700s and 1900s, a garden party in which all fans of past eras can participate in costume (subject to selection by the Le Vie del Tempo association which will evaluate the quality of customs and relevance to the historical period).

The noblewoman from Lucca Luisa Palma Mansi recounts in her precious diary that she took part in a pastoral representation right in the gardens of Marlia on 16 May 1793.

Starting from this suggestion, the Villa Reale di Marlia in collaboration with the Cultural Association “Le vie del tempo” organizes an appointment dedicated to re-enactors and history buffs on Sunday 3 September 2023.

It will be possible to spend a day in the splendid gardens of what was once the residence of Elisa Bonaparte and which allow you to take a journey through time, from the 17th century of the Orsetti family, the first owners, to the Florentine grand dukes of Habsburg Lorraine up to the end of the ‘900 with the Bourbon-Capua.

DRESS-CODE TIME TRAVEL AT VILLA REALE (MARLIA-LUCCA)

The dresscode of the event provides for the free choice of a historically accurate outfit, both civil and military, which embraces the period from 1700 to the beginning of 1900 and which takes into account the situation or day in the garden.

Those who are interested in participating will be sent a handbook with the most suitable outfits for each historical period and an image of the dress you wish to wear must be sent to the email address: alessia-giorda@ libero.it and in cc info@villarealedimarlia.it.

USEFUL INFO

AT WHAT TIME? From 10am to 5pm nonstop, the re-enactors of Le Vie del Tempo enliven part of the park of Villa Reale and people in costume will be able to recall past times until closing time: the park remains open until 6pm, while the museums until at 5:30pm.

CAN I STAY AS LONG AS I WANT ONCE I ENTER? Yes the ticket is valid until 6pm.

CAN I ARRIVE WHEN I WANT? Yes if there are still tickets available for the time you wish to arrive.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? If you pass the selection of the costume, the ticket to be purchased online will be the reduced one (9€ park only, 15€ complete visit). If you come as a normal visitor, the price of the ticket will be the same as a normal entrance without a surcharge (€12 for the park only or €18 for the whole ticket). Admission is free for season ticket holders and reservations are not required.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN TOO? Absolutely yes.

NEED TO BOOK? Yes, you need to pre-purchase the skip-the-line ticket online on our website to help us manage the entrances to the ticket office and avoid any queues.

HOW DO I BOOK? Find online the special calendar for the historical re-enactment starting in the summer. Select the special ticket for the re-enactment and follow the directions: shop.villarealedimarlia.it

WILL IT ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO VISIT THE RESTORED ROOMS OF THE VILLA REALE and THE NEW MUSEUM AT THE PALAZZINA DELL’OROLOGIO?
Yes, by purchasing the ticket including museums. Online you can choose the most suitable ticket for you at the time of purchase.

WILL IT BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE LUNCH IN THE PARK? Yes of course, you can enjoy a gourmet and relaxing moment at our café overlooking the lake or bring your own picnic (without tables or balls).

PHOTOGRAPHS: It will be possible to take them in the park but not inside the museums.