Medicis villas in Florence

Are you familiar with the Medici family? They were one of the most powerful families in Tuscany and Italy during the Renaissance, ruling the city of Florence. They excelled in business and patronage, and owned numerous estates where they built villas. Seventeen in all, these sumptuous villas and gardens were built between the 15th and 17th centuries. These seigneurial country residences were dedicated to leisure, the arts and learning. What’s more, they were a mark of economic power for the family at the time. Since 2013, twelve of these Medici villas and two gardens have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Come and visit these villas when you’re in Florence!

DISCOVER MEDICIS VILLAS AND GARDENS

These villas are located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, close to Florence and Lucca. In the past, these villas were considered places of pleasure and festivity by the Medici family, and each villa had its own particularity. During the hunting season, the Medici resided in the villas of Cafaggiolo and Trebbio. Located to the north of Florence, these were also the first two villas built in the series of properties now listed. Cafaggiolo was also a famous ceramics workshop. Some villas, such as Fiesole and Careggi, were also considered places of relaxation. The latter was also important to the family’s economy, as it was the site of many agricultural activities. During the summer season, the Medici stayed at the villa d’Artimino, known as the “villa of a hundred fireplaces” because of its numerous chimneys. The villa La Magia is famous for having welcomed Emperor Charles V, who met Duke Alexander de’ Medici there. Today, most of these villas have been reused for other purposes. Museums can be found here, such as the Villa Cerreto Guidi, which houses the Historical Museum of Hunting and Territory. The Petraia and the Poggio a Caiano are open to the public and can be visited as museums in their own right. Others are used for institutional purposes: the Castello, home of the Academy of the Italian Language; the Seravezza, home of the Versilia Museum of Labor and Popular Traditions; the Poggio Imperiale, now a public school. The other villas are now privately owned. As you pass through, you’ll notice the Renaissance and Baroque architecture typical of these villas. The gardens, too, will dazzle you with their Renaissance styles, all in harmony with the villas and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

RENT A VILLA IN FLORENCE

If you are visiting the Florence region, do not hesitate to rent a villa in the heart of the enchanting Elsa Valley. Outside, you can relax and chat under the pretty white-painted pergola. You can enjoy breakfast on the carefully landscaped terrace and relax by the outdoor pool, gazing up at the azure Tuscan sky. We also offer a superb detached villa that belonged to the church until 1350, when it was sold to a family. This historic property has recently been renovated, but still retains some of its original features, such as terracotta floors and exposed beams in some rooms. This building is the ideal starting point for culture lovers, who can visit the Medici villas and Romanesque churches on foot, mountain bike or horseback. Located just 15 minutes from San Gimignano and 45 minutes from Florence, this villa is also an excellent choice for visiting the region. This beautiful house is ideal for events, large families or business trips.