Between history and legend, an evocative route in the places of Medici
The Medici Route (Via Medicea) is an evocative path that starts from the Medici Cascine in Prato and reaches Fucecchio, crossing the marvelous territories where the Medici lived, also represented by Leonardo da Vinci in his paintings. Along the way, we encounter three Medici Villas, now UNESCO World Heritage Site, villages, ridges and valleys, natural parks, archaeological sites and countless historical and artistic testimonies. The Medici Route strategically connects the Wool and Silk Road with the Via Francigena, allowing those who travel it to unite the spaces of the Po Valley and Northern Europe with the spirituality of the Eternal City.
The Medici Route is a route of medium difficulty that can be done in 4 or more days. It crosses 9 municipalities and 3 provinces for a total of 78.3 km, 4 stages and 2 rings. The total elevation gain in ascent is 2,480 m. Specific signage identifies the route, which is mainly on nearby roads and CAI (Italian alpine club) trails.
The Medici Route begins at the Cascine di Tavola, a public park with extensive lawns and part woodland. Built in the 15th century at the behest of Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici, known as the Magnificent, the Cascine (farmsteads) have long been a place of delight and recreation. Many activities, such as hunting and fishing, could be carried out here, or, simply, one could ride along the avenues in a carriage.
The itinerary continues to Poggio a Caiano, a city that bears witness to the grandeur of the Medici. The imposing Medici Villa, also commissioned by Lorenzo The Magnificent, is well worth a visit. On the ground and first floors, there are the historic apartments, while on the second floor is the Still Life Museum, with paintings by famous artists, such as Bartolomeo Ligozzi, Giovanna Garzoni and Margherita Caffi.
Along the way, you will also encounter the Church of San Francesco in Bonistallo, the Medici Conducts, the Ragnaione grove, and intersect the Wool and Silk Road.
The Medici Route begins at the Cascine di Tavola, a public park with extensive lawns and part woodland. Built in the 15th century at the behest of Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici, known as the Magnificent, the Cascine (farmsteads) have long been a place of delight and recreation. Many activities, such as hunting and fishing, could be carried out here, or, simply, one could ride along the avenues in a carriage.
The itinerary continues to Poggio a Caiano, a city that bears witness to the grandeur of the Medici. The imposing Medici Villa, also commissioned by Lorenzo The Magnificent, is well worth a visit. On the ground and first floors, there are the historic apartments, while on the second floor is the Still Life Museum, with paintings by famous artists, such as Bartolomeo Ligozzi, Giovanna Garzoni and Margherita Caffi.
Along the way, you will also encounter the Church of San Francesco in Bonistallo, the Medici Conducts, the Ragnaione grove, and intersect the Wool and Silk Road.
- straighten
Lunghezza tappa19,2 km
- schedule
Duration5.40 ore
- height
Overall altitude difference635 m
Arriving in Artimino, in the municipality of Carmignano, one is fascinated in front of the Medici Villa La Ferdinanda, also known as the Villa dei Cento Camini (Villa of One Hundred Chimneys). The villa was built - also with the collaboration of Buontalenti - at the wish of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici and was used as a residence for hunting parties. In this area, in fact, the Barco Reale, a hunting reserve where wild boars, hares, pheasants and other specimens lived, was built. Today, the villa hosts special events, conferences and weddings.
Arriving in Artimino, in the municipality of Carmignano, one is fascinated in front of the Medici Villa La Ferdinanda, also known as the Villa dei Cento Camini (Villa of One Hundred Chimneys). The villa was built - also with the collaboration of Buontalenti - at the wish of Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici and was used as a residence for hunting parties. In this area, in fact, the Barco Reale, a hunting reserve where wild boars, hares, pheasants and other specimens lived, was built. Today, the villa hosts special events, conferences and weddings.
- straighten
Lunghezza tappa22,1 km
- schedule
Duration6.15 ore
- height
Overall altitude difference790 m
The next stop on the Medici Route is Bacchereto, a hamlet in the municipality of Carmignano, known since the 15th century for its flourishing ceramics tradition. Here, in fact, six kilns were active in those years for the production of majolica that went on to decorate many architectures in the city of Florence (e.g., the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova and the Istituto degli Innocenti). Bacchereto is also home to a farm used by the Medici for hunting trips to the Barco Reale.
The next stop on the Medici Route is Bacchereto, a hamlet in the municipality of Carmignano, known since the 15th century for its flourishing ceramics tradition. Here, in fact, six kilns were active in those years for the production of majolica that went on to decorate many architectures in the city of Florence (e.g., the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova and the Istituto degli Innocenti). Bacchereto is also home to a farm used by the Medici for hunting trips to the Barco Reale.
- straighten
Lunghezza tappa18 km
- schedule
Duration6.40 ore
- height
Overall altitude difference540 m
To enter the town of Vinci is to discover its most famous citizen: Leonardo. A few kilometers from the historic center, the Genius was in fact born. Among olive groves and vineyards, it was here that he drew inspiration for his works and inventions. Continuing on, you come to Cerreto Guidi and its Medici Villa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was built around the 16th century at the behest of Cosimo I, as a hunting lodge but also as a garrison near the Padule di Fucecchio, the marshy area that was very rich in game.
Moreover, the Villa houses on the first floor the Historical Museum of Hunting and the Territory, a collection of weapons, mainly for hunting and shooting, from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Once in Fucecchio, there is also a connection to the Via Francigena.
To enter the town of Vinci is to discover its most famous citizen: Leonardo. A few kilometers from the historic center, the Genius was in fact born. Among olive groves and vineyards, it was here that he drew inspiration for his works and inventions. Continuing on, you come to Cerreto Guidi and its Medici Villa, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building was built around the 16th century at the behest of Cosimo I, as a hunting lodge but also as a garrison near the Padule di Fucecchio, the marshy area that was very rich in game.
Moreover, the Villa houses on the first floor the Historical Museum of Hunting and the Territory, a collection of weapons, mainly for hunting and shooting, from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Once in Fucecchio, there is also a connection to the Via Francigena.
- straighten
Lunghezza tappa19 km
- schedule
Duration5.40 ore
- height
Overall altitude difference180 m
During the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, the territory of Quarrata was an integral part of that of Pistoia and faithfully followed its fate and historical-settlement evolution. The convergence between the Pistoia territory and the Medici dynasty is represented by the purchase of La Magia Villa by Francis I in 1583. The Villa, located between Florence and Pistoia, became an important piece in the panorama of the Medici family’s properties, especially in relation to its proximity to the hunting estate of Barco Reale.
During the Middle Ages and the Modern Age, the territory of Quarrata was an integral part of that of Pistoia and faithfully followed its fate and historical-settlement evolution. The convergence between the Pistoia territory and the Medici dynasty is represented by the purchase of La Magia Villa by Francis I in 1583. The Villa, located between Florence and Pistoia, became an important piece in the panorama of the Medici family’s properties, especially in relation to its proximity to the hunting estate of Barco Reale.
- straighten
Lunghezza tappa15 km
- schedule
Duration4.30 ore
- height
Overall altitude difference500 m
The Capraia and Montelupo loop starts from Artimino and follows the course of the Arno River along the cycle/pedestrian path that uses the ballast of the old Florence-Pisa railway.
The passage of the trail through the territory of Montelupo Fiorentino allows the possibility of a visit to the exterior of the residence commissioned by Ferdinand I, the Medici Villa of the Ambrogiana, which is located on the left bank of the Arno, at the point where the Pesa River flows into it.
The Capraia and Montelupo loop starts from Artimino and follows the course of the Arno River along the cycle/pedestrian path that uses the ballast of the old Florence-Pisa railway.
The passage of the trail through the territory of Montelupo Fiorentino allows the possibility of a visit to the exterior of the residence commissioned by Ferdinand I, the Medici Villa of the Ambrogiana, which is located on the left bank of the Arno, at the point where the Pesa River flows into it.
The hiking map of the route, combined with the guidebook with all useful information for the walker, can be purchased online. For more information, visit the official website viamedicea.it