Research conducted in the archives of Trieste City Council has revealed that the villa was constructed in 1829 by the Koller family, which owned a plot of land on Scorcola hill, at that time a sought-after residential area just outside the city.
Land Registry documents record that the property was subsequently sold to the Bergera family, and then in 1908 acquired by the Lixl family, whose name it still bears. It is said that when James Joyce was in Trieste he often came to visit the Lixls and relax under the majestic horse-chestnut that towers over the entrance. In 2008 the villa was bought by the Tanjevic family, who completed work on its restoration in 2016. The refurbishment included the harmonious addition of contemporary artworks to the historical furnishings.
The main entrance is just a few metres from the Tram di Opicina, one of the city’s historical attractions. Built at the beginning of the last century, the tramline ascends a scenic route from the centre of Trieste to the town of Opicina.
