The Villa Corsi-Salviati is located not in downtown Florence, but in Sesto Fiorentino, a lovely medieval Tuscan hill town about 10 kilometers (six Roman miles) from the city center on the ancient Roman Via Cassia (now know as Via Antonio Gramsci.) Since the 18 th century, Sesto has been a center for the production of porcelain and maioloica ceramic, and in the late 19 th century the factory workers took over the town administration to form a socialist workers' community. During the Second World War, it became a center of anti-Fascist partisan resistance. Today Sesto is a thriving, sophisticated town, with cinemas, good restaurants, a lively open air market and easy access to Florence by bus and train. Removed from the tourist hub, it is both less expensive than Florence and much more representative of real Italian life.

The Villa Corsi-Salviati, which belongs to the Giucciardini family, dates back to the 15 th century. It has been modernized and adapted to the needs of the academic program, including wireless internet access, but its architecture has been carefully preserved and the original ambience remains in frescoes, sculptures, and exquisite formal gardens. The Villa contains living quarters for students and faculty, classrooms, studios, lecture halls, and a library; communal meals are prepared by local Italian staff on the premises. However, despite its self-contained nature, the program has become a part of the Sesto community, forming an official partnership that allows students to use local athletic facilities, meet Italian students, and complete internships in some of the municipal offices. The Duke in Florence Program thus offers a unique living-learning opportunity for students interested in Italian culture and contemporary life.

A detailed history of the program and the Villa, along with photos has been prepared by former program director Gino Casagrande: Michigan, Wisconsin, Duke Academic Year Program in Florence.