In origin, Villa di Poggio Reale, which owes its name to the fact that Leopold II Grand Duke of Tuscany stayed there in 1829, was an aristocratic country house. The coat of arm carved on the portal of the ballroom on the first floor is that of the Mormorai di Majano family, the first owner of the estate, who ordered the villa to be built atop a hill, surrounded by an evergreen wood.

In the following centuries, the villa underwent several nebulous transfers of property. It is however certain that the Berardi family renovated the villa during the 18th century, whereas at the end of the same century the Liccioli family transformed it into a building where receptions could be hold.

In the first half of the 19th century, the villa underwent other renovation works: on this occasion, the caves and a chapel were built and the park was reorganised.