Some words go straight to the heart – like these lines by Simone Frasca, a dear friend of our family and especially of my beloved husband Raffaele, who sadly is no longer with us.
His visit to Casa Raffaele inspired him to write a very personal and touching reflection – about a place that is far more than just a country retreat: it is a space of memory, friendship and loving attention to detail.
I am happy to share his words here – a small tribute to Raffaele, who lives on in the hearts of so many of us.
Today, at last, I visited Casa Raffaele (https://cascina-del-riccio.de/it/benvenuti-al-casa-raffaele/), the agriturismo of Martin and Raffaele (whom we will never stop missing), in Ghizzano, just a stone's throw from Peccioli, in the beautiful landscape of the Pisan hills.
Raffaele is everywhere: in the logo, in the objects hanging and on display, in the books peeking out from the shelves, and – a blow to the heart – in the little picture of “Bruno lo zozzo” hanging in a room, which I gave him many years ago.
“Bruno lo zozzo” – the picture Raffaele loved so much
“Bruno lo zozzo” introduced me to many wonderful people – from Elaide Garufi, who was a little girl at the time, to Raffaele, who was a grown man but wrote me an enthusiastic letter after reading it, which marked the beginning of our friendship.
With love and perseverance, Martin carried the project through to completion, taking care of every little detail, and today Casa Raffaele is a splendid agriturismo and also a small museum of 1960s design and graphic art.
Book yourself a weekend of peace and beauty and come visit.
