Poggio a Caiano is a comune in the province of Prato. In the town there is a very famous villa and museum which was once home to the Medici family. Built for Lorenzo the Magnificent, according to plans by Giuliano da Sangallo, it is situated between Florence, Prato and Pistoia. Begun at the end of the fifteenth century, it was not completed until halfway through the sixteenth. Today it is a garden, park, stately home and art museum which is open to the public for visits and between wandering the grounds, buildings and collections, it is an excellent day out with lots to do and see! If you want to visit this extraordinary site and its wonderful setting for yourself, why not find a luxury villa in the Florence area and pencil a trip into your itinerary?
Building was begun around 1485 but was interrupted by Lorenzo's death in 1492. Work then continued under Pope Leo X, who was Lorenzo's son. The villa is an extremely good example of the increasing refinements in implementing classical motifs and ideas into Renaissance architecture.
The exterior employs classical decorative motifs that show a deepening understanding and familiarity with the buildings of the ancients and the interior is arranged around a central salone which recalls the oecus of Roman villas.
The exterior employs classical decorative motifs that show a deepening understanding and familiarity with the buildings of the ancients and the interior is arranged around a central salone which recalls the oecus of Roman villas.
Furthermore, an open loggia on the ground floor runs along all four façades of the building, this opens the building up to nature and highlights the desire to integrate homes with nature. Buildings began to look outwards instead of in. Over the centuries, the villa has not seen large amounts of alteration as others did and remains a testament to Renaissance ideals.
The Salone is decorated in allegorical frescoes celebrating the Medici family between 1519 and 1521 which were painted by Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo, Franciabigio and Alessandro Allori and commissioned by Leo X.
Subjects include “Vertumnus and Pomona” which has rural scenes in keeping with the architectural ideas at play in the complex, the “Tribute to Caesar” representing an event from Lorenzo’s life and “Cicero’s Return from Exile” which celebrates Cosimo’s return to Florence.
Set on the slopes of Mount Albano, this summer residence for the Medici has stunning natural surrounds and is set within lovely gardens in the English garden style and another section which mirrors the classic Italian garden with lemons everywhere. Visitors can stroll around the gardens, take a tour of the house or the Museum of Still Life on the second floor or merely sit down and take it all in. Entry is free to both grounds and museums but booking of tours is required. With rather reasonable opening hours and so much to see, it'll be the easiest planned and most worthwhile trip of your entire holiday! Make sure to stop by if you're in Prato.
The Salone is decorated in allegorical frescoes celebrating the Medici family between 1519 and 1521 which were painted by Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo, Franciabigio and Alessandro Allori and commissioned by Leo X.
Subjects include “Vertumnus and Pomona” which has rural scenes in keeping with the architectural ideas at play in the complex, the “Tribute to Caesar” representing an event from Lorenzo’s life and “Cicero’s Return from Exile” which celebrates Cosimo’s return to Florence.
Set on the slopes of Mount Albano, this summer residence for the Medici has stunning natural surrounds and is set within lovely gardens in the English garden style and another section which mirrors the classic Italian garden with lemons everywhere. Visitors can stroll around the gardens, take a tour of the house or the Museum of Still Life on the second floor or merely sit down and take it all in. Entry is free to both grounds and museums but booking of tours is required. With rather reasonable opening hours and so much to see, it'll be the easiest planned and most worthwhile trip of your entire holiday! Make sure to stop by if you're in Prato.
Photo credits
picture 1: Mongolo1984 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Giovanni / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Mongolo1984 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Giovanni / CC BY-SA 3.0
