Spread across the picturesque Tuscan landscape, these twelve villas and two gardens stand as a testament to the profound impact the Medici family had on modern European culture through their support of the arts. Constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, these structures exemplify an innovative architectural style that harmonizes with nature, emphasizing relaxation, art, and knowledge.
The villas represent a groundbreaking blend of form and function, marking a new style of princely residence that contrasts significantly with the agricultural estates owned by affluent Florentines and the formidable military structures of baronial castles. The Medici villas serve as the earliest examples of a symbiotic relationship between architecture, gardens, and their surrounding environment, establishing a lasting standard for princely residences across Italy and Europe.
The thoughtful design of their gardens and their seamless integration into the natural landscape contributed to the appreciation of scenery that is characteristic of Humanism and the Renaissance.
Join us as we explore the twelve magnificent Medici Villas built during the Florentine Renaissance, which were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013:
