About us
Podere Lovolio: a story of nature, art, and spirituality in the heart of Versilia
Podere Lovolio was founded in 2010 in Massarosa, in the heart of Tuscan Versilia, just steps from the picturesque Lake Massaciuccoli. This special place is the result of the vision of the Fondazione Pomara Scibetta – Arte Bellezza Cultura, which transformed an ancient farmhouse into a unique project, combining sustainable agriculture, rural hospitality, and contemporary art.
From the beginning, the Foundation’s desire was to create an authentic space, in harmony with the environment, where the values of art, creativity, and spirituality could blend with the beauty of the Tuscan landscape.
The name itself—Lovolio—speaks of a love for the land and nature in all its forms: the presence of animals living in complete harmony with humanity, the beauty of the greenhouses, citrus groves, and olive groves capable of producing the finest organic oil every year, a private, non-commercial production.
The art garden surrounding the property hosts numerous contemporary works, among which the sign sculpture stands out, inspired by the famous work LOVE by Robert Indiana – a perfect symbol of the Podere’s mission: to cultivate beauty, relationships and respect for nature.
Interview with the founder: Giuseppe Scibetta
Doctor, how did the idea of creating Podere Lovolio come about, and what inspired you to do it?
The Podere project was born from a deep desire of mine: to produce a high-quality, organic extra virgin olive oil, using simpler harvesting and production methods that are more in harmony with the environment, unlike the more complex practices of other areas. The goal was to create an excellent product that enhances the surrounding nature without compromising it.
But why did you choose Massarosa to found Podere Lovolio?
Tuscany, my second home for many years, became the place where, with the help of a colleague, we discovered a historic olive grove with 360 olive trees and several greenhouses. We retained part of the greenhouses for organic farming, embarking on the path to Steiner biodynamics. In addition to the 360 trees, we planted another 1,000, with the aim of producing oil for family and friends. We purchased the “OLIO MIO” olive oil mill to manage the entire production cycle in-house and obtained organic oil certification.
Intervista al fondatore: Giuseppe Scibetta
Doctor, how did the idea of creating Podere Lovolio come about, and what inspired you to make it a reality?
The Podere project was born from a deep personal desire: to produce a high-quality, organic extra virgin olive oil, using simpler harvesting and production methods that are more in harmony with the environment, unlike the more complex practices found in other regions. The goal was to create an excellent product that would enhance the surrounding nature without compromising it.
But why did you choose Massarosa as the place to establish Podere Lovolio?
Tuscany, which has been my second home for many years, became the place where, with the help of a collaborator, we discovered a historic olive grove with 360 olive trees and some greenhouses. We kept part of the greenhouses for organic farming, starting our journey toward Steinerian biodynamics. In addition to the original 360 trees, we planted another 1,000, with the intention of producing oil for family and friends. We purchased the “OLIO MIO” mill to manage the entire production process in-house and obtained certification for organic oil.
And what about the farmhouse?
We renovated the farmhouse because, alongside “work time,” we wanted there to also be “rest time.” It was conceived as a complementary structure to the olive grove, and later we applied for authorization to turn it into a hospitality facility.
I imagine the process was quite complex.
The process of creating the Podere was long and complex, but it was made possible thanks to passion and the support of the local people, who saw the project as an opportunity to enhance the area and support local businesses. Each phase was carried out with the collaboration of local professionals and companies, whose dedication made the project a blend of tradition, innovation, and local development.
Why the choice to display all these artworks?
The desire to highlight local sensitivity and the artistic vocation of the area inspired the Pomara Scibetta Foundation — Art, Beauty, Culture — to create a series of works, many of which were developed through competitions for local artists. These works were born to tell stories and journeys, sparking questions about nature, the beauty of creation, and its contradictions. According to the Foundation, art is a way to reflect on ourselves and the world around us, as expressed in one of the artworks:
“Art is the finest imprint a person can leave behind: it captures the beauty of the world.”
