Medici Villas

and features the Apennine Colossus by Giambologna and the Cupid’s Cave by Buontalenti. Via Fiorentina, 276 ph. +39 349 8800380 Open from April to September 52 VILLA GAMBERAIA GARDENS

The beautiful garden of Villa Gamberaia, in Settignano, spreads over several levels, where one can admire the lemon-house, a niche decorated with pebble mosaics and a spectacular modern parterre. Via del Rossellino, 72 ph. +39 347 2386326 villagamberaia.com

53 MEDICI VILLA LA PETRAIA

An ancient fortress whose tower still stands, belonging first to the Brunelleschi family and later to the Strozzis, La Petraia was bequeathed by Cosimo I de Medici to his son, the cardinal Ferdinando, in 1568 and later converted into an elegant Renaissance residence. The villa is surrounded by a large English-style park. Via della Petraia, 40 tel. +39 055 452691

Villa Gamberaia

villegiardinimedicei.it Closed Mondays 54 MEDICI VILLA OF CASTELLO

One of the oldest country residences of the Medici family, who acquired it in 1477. The villa was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013, and is currently home to the Accademia della Crusca; the garden is a prototype of 16th-century Italian design. Via di Castello, 44 tel. +39 055 452691 villegiardinimedicei.it Temporarily closed

Villa Gamberaia

Park of Pratolino

Villa la Ferdinanda

55 MEDICI VILLA OF POGGIO A CAIANO

Designed by Giuliano da Sangallo for Lorenzo the Magnificent, as an example of Renaissance architecture. The splendid Sala di Leone X on the piano nobile is astonishing; the second floor is devoted to the Still Life Museum, and the gardens outside are dominated by a 19th-century lemon house. Piazza de’ Medici,14 tel. +39 055 877012 villegiardinimedicei.it Closed Mondays, Thursdays and the 1st, 4th and last Sunday of the month 56 MEDICI VILLA LA FERDINANDA

Built in 1596 on the orders of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici and to a design by Bernardo Buontalenti, Villa La Ferdinanda is also known as the Villa of a Hundred Chimneys, for the numerous chimney pots that make the building unique. Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, 1 tel. +39 333/9418333 villegiardinimedicei.it Open subject to booking 57 MEDICI VILLA IN FIESOLE

The first example of a Renaissance villa, this became the inspiration for numerous other residences. After the

Villa la Petraia Medicis, the marquise Del Sera turned the western terrace into a loggia, while the lower terraced area was home to the vegetable garden, with aromatic plants for household use. Via Beato Angelico, 2 villegiardinimedicei.it Garden may be visited by appointment

Medici Villa in Fiesole