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Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany
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How it came to be
The Medici came from the Mugello north of Florence, where the 14th-century houses of Trebbio and Cafaggiolo were fortified dwellings. In the 15th century Cosimo de' Medici had the architect Michelozzo build villas at Careggi and Fiesole, adding courtyards, balconies and gardens.
Under Cosimo I a garden was laid out at the Villa di Castello, the first of its kind in Italy, by Niccolò Tribolo, who later designed the Boboli Gardens for the Palazzo Pitti. By the end of the 16th century the family held at least 16 major estates and at least 11 lesser ones.
When Gian Gastone de' Medici died in 1737 the villas passed to Francis, Duke of Lorraine, and were neglected for about 26 years. Twelve villas and two gardens built between the 15th and 17th centuries were inscribed in 2013.
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