SurReale was born from an idea of Henric and Marina Grönberg – it was one of their dreams to open a restaurant with a contemporary twist. After they fell in love with Villa Reale in Marlia, they chose one of the most characteristic courtyards of Lucca for this new adventure.
In 2015 the family’s passion for the area and their love of its heritage became the driving forces for the restoration of Villa Reale in Marlia, now brought back to its former glory. The renovation has been a huge project, and the Villa is now once again one of the most spectacular historic residences in Italy.
The park covers an area of 16 hectares and counts 500 years of history. It’s a wonderful location for a cultural experience in natural surroundings. In addition to the luxurious 19th century residence of Elisa Bonaparte, the estate hosts a museum containing the collections of the countess Mimì Pecci Blunt, the oldest ‘Green Theatre’ in Europe, an unusual nymphaeum and other historic buildings of interest – the perfect place for a relaxing walk.
The care and attention to detail in the restoration of Villa Reale are also evident at SurReale. There are several interesting elements of the history of the Villa in various corners of the Bistrot, including photos of famous guests – among others, Salvador Dalì in the Art Nouveau swimming pool!