The Medici villas are a group of rural buildings in Tuscany that were owned by members of the Medici family from the 15th century to the 17th century. These villas had multiple purposes. They acted as country homes for the Medici family, located throughout the areas they controlled, showing their power and wealth. They also served as places for fun and relaxation for the family. Additionally, they were the main locations for farming work on the land around them. In 2013, the Medici villas were added to UNESCO's World Heritage list.

History

The first Medici villas were the Villa del Trebbio and the Villa at Cafaggiolo. These were strong and protected homes built in the 14th century in the Mugello region, which was the original home of the Medici family. In the 15th century, Cosimo de' Medici built villas designed by Michelozzo at Careggi and Fiesole. These buildings were still serious in design but included spaces for recreation, such as courtyards, balconies, and gardens. Lorenzo de' Medici spent long periods at the Villa di Careggi. Over time, Florence became surrounded by many Medici villas, with others located in more distant parts of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. By the end of the 16th century, there were at least 16 major estates, along with 11 others of secondary interest (mostly agricultural or owned by the Medici for a short time). These were joined by many farms and hunting lodges across Tuscany. Giusto Utens painted a series of lunettes showing the main Medici villas in the 17th century. These paintings are now kept at the Villa La Petraia.

The last Medici villas were the Villa di Montevettolini and the Villa di Artimino. These were bought in 1595 or 1596 by Ferdinando I, who was also expanding the Villa di Castello, Villa La Petraia, and Villa dell'Ambrogiana.

The later Medici villas are excellent examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Many of them had gardens. The garden at the Villa di Castello was created for Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. It was the first in Italy designed by Niccolò Tribolo, who later created the Boboli Gardens for Cosimo's new residence, the Palazzo Pitti.

Each important member of the Medici family owned an estate. The Duke moved between homes. When he lived in a villa, it became a small version of the Medici court. For hunting, he could visit the Villa del Trebbio, Villa di Cafaggiolo, or Villa di Pratolino. In spring, he stayed at the Villa dell'Ambrogiana. In summer, he moved to the Villa di Artimino, which was cooler because it was at a higher elevation.

After Gian Gastone de' Medici died in 1737, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Medici's properties, including their villas, were taken over by Francis, Duke of Lorraine (later Holy Roman Emperor). Francis visited Tuscany only once in 1739. For the next 26 years, the villas were not cared for. When Leopold I inherited the duchy in 1765, many villas were in poor condition and were sold. The rest remained in use by the Lorraines until 1860, when Tuscany became part of the new Kingdom of Italy. The House of Savoy chose to sell all but two of the remaining Medici villas (La Petraia and Poggio a Caiano). These stayed in their possession until the end of the monarchy in 1946. Today, some Medici villas are museums. Others are used by institutions, and a few are privately owned, often rented for private events or public gatherings.

In 2006, the Italian government asked UNESCO to recognize the Medici villas as a World Heritage Site. In 2013, at the 37th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Phnom Penh, "Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany" was added to the World Heritage list.

List

The UNESCO World Heritage Site includes twelve villas and two gardens:

• Boboli Gardens
• Gardens of Pratolino
• Palazzo di Seravezza
• Villa di Artimino
• Villa di Cafaggiolo
• Villa di Careggi
• Villa di Castello
• Villa di Cerreto Guidi
• Villa La Magia
• Villa La Petraia
• Villa Medici in Fiesole
• Villa di Poggio a Caiano
• Villa del Poggio Imperiale
• Villa del Trebbio

• Villa del Trebbio (mid-14th century–1738)
• Villa di Cafaggiolo (mid-14th century–1738)
• Villa di Careggi (1417–1738)
• Villa Medici in Fiesole (1451–1457)
• Villa di Poggio a Caiano (1470–1738)
• Villa di Castello (1480–1738)
• Villa di Mezzomonte (1480–1482, 1629–1644)
• Villa La Petraia (first half of the 16th century–1738)
• Villa di Camugliano (c.1530–1615)
• Villa di Cerreto Guidi (1555–1738)
• Villa del Poggio Imperiale (1565–1738)
• Villa di Pratolino (1568–1738)
• Villa di Lappeggi (1569–1738)
• Villa dell'Ambrogiana (1574–1738)
• Villa La Magia (1583–1738)
• Villa di Artimino (1596–1738)

• Villa di Collesalvetti (1464–1738)
• Villa di Agnano (1486–1498)
• Villa di Arena Metato (c.1563–1738)
• Villa di Spedaletto (1486–1492)
• Villa di Stabbia (1548–1738)
• Villa della Topaia (c.1550–1738)
• Palazzo di Seravezza (1560–1738)
• Villa di Marignolle (1560–1621)
• Villa di Lilliano (1584–1738)
• Villa di Coltano (1586–1738)
• Villa di Montevettolini (c.1595–1738)

Gallery

The Medici family owned several country villas, including:

• Villa di Careggi
• Villa di Poggio a Caiano
• L'Appennino, Parco di Pratolino
• Palazzo di Seravezza
• Villa a Fiesole
• Villa di Artimino

Besides their country villas, the Medici family also lived in these buildings in Florence:

• Palazzo Medici Riccardi (1444–1540, used by less important family members until 1659)
• Palazzo Vecchio (1540–c.1560)
• Palazzo Pitti (1550–1738)
• Casino di San Marco

They also owned the Villa Medici in Rome.