A weekend to discover the homes of the Medici family in Montalbano, among nature and history
In the heart of Tuscany, Montalbano boasts an important link with the historic Medici family. Situated between Florence and Pistoia, it's a land characterized by lush nature, scattered with vineyards and olive groves that inspired the art of Leonardo da Vinci. Since the time of Grand Duke Cosimo I, the Medici family built villas and set up hunting reserves here. The various exponents of the famous Florentine family even took refuge in these places and spent their holidays here, away from the chaos of city life.
If you too are looking for peace and tranquility, treat yourself to a weekend at the homes of the Medici, among history and nature, away from the frenzy of everyday life.
Our weekend touring the homes of the Medici begins in the village of Cerreto Guidi, where the splendid Medici Villa stands. Built at the behest of Cosimo I in 1556, the villa is now a UNESCO heritage site. The majestic staircase that leads to the entrance, offers a splendid view of the surrounding valley. Inside the Villa, you can now find the Historical Museum of Hunting and of the Territory, which tells of the deep bond between the Medici and this land through the numerous portraits on display and the large collection of hunting weapons.
Not far from the historic center of Cerreto Guidi, you can find the Medicean Farm of Stabbia. Built by Cosimo I in the mid-sixteenth century, the villa was the administrative center of the Medici properties. Today, the farm is a private residence but it can still be admired from the outside along the road that leads to the Fucecchio Marsh, the largest internal wetland area in Italy.
Reclaimed at the behest of Cosimo I, he had canals and the Ponte Cappiano lock built there to control the waters and the marsh was a hunting reserve for the Medici. Today, it hosts a significant and valuable heritage of flora and fauna, in particular, countless species of birds. Thanks to the paths present, it's possible to visit the whole area, on foot or by bike, while you can birdwatch in one of the huts on site. The Fucecchio Marshes Documentation Center is the heart of the area. Here, you can visit the small museum and book guided tours.
Our weekend touring the homes of the Medici begins in the village of Cerreto Guidi, where the splendid Medici Villa stands. Built at the behest of Cosimo I in 1556, the villa is now a UNESCO heritage site. The majestic staircase that leads to the entrance, offers a splendid view of the surrounding valley. Inside the Villa, you can now find the Historical Museum of Hunting and of the Territory, which tells of the deep bond between the Medici and this land through the numerous portraits on display and the large collection of hunting weapons.
Not far from the historic center of Cerreto Guidi, you can find the Medicean Farm of Stabbia. Built by Cosimo I in the mid-sixteenth century, the villa was the administrative center of the Medici properties. Today, the farm is a private residence but it can still be admired from the outside along the road that leads to the Fucecchio Marsh, the largest internal wetland area in Italy.
Reclaimed at the behest of Cosimo I, he had canals and the Ponte Cappiano lock built there to control the waters and the marsh was a hunting reserve for the Medici. Today, it hosts a significant and valuable heritage of flora and fauna, in particular, countless species of birds. Thanks to the paths present, it's possible to visit the whole area, on foot or by bike, while you can birdwatch in one of the huts on site. The Fucecchio Marshes Documentation Center is the heart of the area. Here, you can visit the small museum and book guided tours.
An excursion into the nature of the Barco Reale Mediceo begins the second day of our weekend. This wide expanse of woods which develops around the Medici Villa of Artimino was another important hunting estate of the Medici, created by Ferdinand II in the seventeenth century. Here, you can walk along the paths, admiring the nature and the remains of the Medici walls that once surrounded the area. Also worth seeing is the scenic Porta Monumentale of Poggio alla Malva in the municipality of Capraia e Limite, that gave access to the Barchetto della Pineta, a special hunting area within the estate.
From the Barco Mediceo we move to Montelupo Fiorentino, known throughout the world as being the homeland of artistic ceramics since the time of Lorenzo dei Medici. Don't miss a visit to the Museum of Ceramics where the illustrious history of this noble art is revealed.
Walking along the Arno, we reach another Medici villa, Villa Ambrogiana. Renovated by Ferdinando dei Medici, son of Cosimo I, at the end of the sixteenth century, the villa is one of the most grand and became Cosimo III's favourite in the eighteenth century. It can only be visited on special occasions but the Villa can always be admired from the outside while walking in the Ambrogiana Park.
An excursion into the nature of the Barco Reale Mediceo begins the second day of our weekend. This wide expanse of woods which develops around the Medici Villa of Artimino was another important hunting estate of the Medici, created by Ferdinand II in the seventeenth century. Here, you can walk along the paths, admiring the nature and the remains of the Medici walls that once surrounded the area. Also worth seeing is the scenic Porta Monumentale of Poggio alla Malva in the municipality of Capraia e Limite, that gave access to the Barchetto della Pineta, a special hunting area within the estate.
From the Barco Mediceo we move to Montelupo Fiorentino, known throughout the world as being the homeland of artistic ceramics since the time of Lorenzo dei Medici. Don't miss a visit to the Museum of Ceramics where the illustrious history of this noble art is revealed.
Walking along the Arno, we reach another Medici villa, Villa Ambrogiana. Renovated by Ferdinando dei Medici, son of Cosimo I, at the end of the sixteenth century, the villa is one of the most grand and became Cosimo III's favourite in the eighteenth century. It can only be visited on special occasions but the Villa can always be admired from the outside while walking in the Ambrogiana Park.