The villa was built between the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th in front of the famous Fortezza da Basso in the heart of Florence. Built by the architect Aleksandr Julievic Jag following the canonical neoclassical style it was donated to the city by the Russian aristocratic family Basilewsky.
The large rooms on the first floor are decorated with gold-painted stucco and a noteworthy boxed wood ceiling.
The first floor also gives space to a private chapel. The villa is surrounded by a large garden home to many tall trees and enclosed by a masonry wall that features intricate cast iron finishings.