Villa Medici at Castello – A lost paradise in the heart of Florence

History and Description

Nestled in the hilly area of Castello, just a few kilometers from the center of Florence, the Villa Medici at Castello is one of the finest examples of Tuscan Renaissance architecture. Purchased in 1477 by Lorenzo and Giovanni di Pierfrancesco de’ Medici, members of the “popolano” branch of the famous dynasty, the villa quickly became a hub of art and culture. It was here that Sandro Botticelli created two of his masterpieces, Primavera and The Birth of Venus, originally intended to adorn its rooms.

Inherited by Giovanni delle Bande Nere and Maria Salviati, the villa later became the childhood home of Cosimo I de’ Medici, who in the 16th century made it his favorite residence and a political symbol of the new Grand Duchy of Florence. Cosimo commissioned Giorgio Vasari for architectural renovations and entrusted Niccolò Tribolo with the creation of the magnificent Italian garden, which became the model for all subsequent Medici gardens, including the Boboli Gardens.

Also known as Villa Reale, L’Olmo, or Il Vivaio, the complex features a sober yet elegant structure, with a 16th-century central courtyard and Tuscan-style loggias. Among the most evocative rooms are the Hall of Panels, displaying the emblems of the Accademia della Crusca, and the Hall of Cabinets, adorned with frescoes depicting allegories of the seasons.

The rear garden, arranged on three terraces, houses sculptures and fountains of exceptional value: the Fountain of Hercules and Antaeus by Bartolomeo Ammannati, the famous Grotto of Animals, a Mannerist gem covered in mosaics and shells, and the Citrus Garden, home to over 500 rare lemon and citron plants, including the renowned “mugherino” Indian jasmine, a gift from the King of Portugal to Cosimo III.

Curiosities

• The Villa at Castello was one of the first places where Florentine humanist philosophy flourished: Marsilio Ficino educated the young Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de’ Medici here in Neoplatonic thought.
• Every element in the garden had symbolic meaning: fountains and sculptures represented the harmonious rule of the Medici over Tuscany, with the Apennines and rivers Arno and Mugnone translated into stone and water allegories.
• In 2013, the garden was awarded the title of “Most Beautiful Park in Italy” and is now part of the European Network of Historic Gardens, alongside some of Europe’s most important parks.

Access Information

The Villa Medici at Castello is not regularly open to the public, as it hosts the prestigious Accademia della Crusca and the Opera del Vocabolario Italiano. However, on special occasions or by reservation, it is possible to visit the interiors.

The monumental garden, on the other hand, is open to the public and managed by the Regional Directorate of Museums of Tuscany. Admission is free, and opening hours vary by season; it is recommended to check the official website of the Italian Ministry of Culture.

How to Get There

 Address: Via di Castello 44, northwest Florence, near Villa La Petraia

• By bus: From Firenze Santa Maria Novella or Rifredi stations, take lines 2 or 28 and get off at Sestese 5; walk about 10 minutes from there
• By train: Get off at Firenze Castello station, just 10 minutes on foot from the villa

• By car: Drive along Via Sestese, with parking available near the main entrance

  photo credits of fulltravel.it