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 Immense Florentine park |
Via Bolognese Florence 50036 Italy |
Nothing remains of the 16th-century Medicean villa built by Francesco I de' Medici. It was surrounded by an immense park, full of decorative buildings, including (towards the end of the 17th century) a repertory theatre ordered by Ferdinando de' Medici. However, with the passage of time, the villa was ruined, and it was demolished. The park was eventually reclaimed by Joseph Frietsch before being handed over to the Demidoff family in 1872. After having bought the Savoy property, they decided to construct a villa, which has remained standing to this day. All that remains of the re-named Medici estate which was famous for its wonderfully evocative scenery are a few building works carried out by Bernardo Buontalenti, who was responsible for the original project commissioned by Francesco I. The park, which now belongs to the Province of Florence, is a venue for cultural shows and exhibitions, and remains open from March until October. It includes a fine collection of sculptures. It is possible to book a free guided tour of the park in advance by calling the Centro Guido Tourismo on: +39 55 28 8448. Entry is prohibited to dogs. Admission: EUR3-4, free for children under 6 years; entrance free on Friday for school parties and senior citizens. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Chris L |
 Photo: Luca Zappacosta |
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Egyptian and Hellenistic temples set in parkland |
Via F. Stibbert, 24 Florence 50138 Italy |
This beautiful open park belonged to the Stibbert family who owned the adjacent villa, now home to the Stibbert Museum. It was designed by Giuseppe Poggi in the Romantic style, in accordance with English tastes, and is spread out over three hectares. Distinctive features include an Egyptian temple facing a duck pond, as well as a Hellenistic temple beyond the lemon trees and the stables. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Alessio Paolillo |
 Armour and armaments collection |
Via F. Stibbert, 26 Florence 50134 Italy +39 55 47 5520 |
In the second half of the 19th century Federico Stibbert amassed a rich and varied collection of art in his villa on the Montughi hill. Passed on to the city of Florence in 1906, it consists of around 60 rooms of paintings, furniture and porcelain from around the world. The collection reflects Stibbert's passion for weapons and armor: an impressive variety of rare pieces document equipment and armaments from the 15th to the 17th century. The European armor stands out, but there are also Oriental, Persian, Indian, Islamic and Indonesian examples. The most impressive room is called the Cavalcade in which there are displays of numerous horses with riders in full dress. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Giulia Fedel |
 Photo: Piper |
 Photo: liasierramaria |
 Photo: Andrea Zoltanetzky |
 Photo: Jay M. Hinton |
 Sir Harold Acton's former villa |
Via Bolognese, 120 Florence 50100 Italy |
This private villa can only be visited following a written request. The alley running from the entrance gate to the villa itself is lined with cypress trees and although the villa was built in the 16th century, it was completely renovated by the architects, Fontana and Ruggieri for the Capponi family in the 18th century. One of the villa's recent owners was Sir Harold Acton, an art historian who put together his own art collection here; it was subsequently bequeathed to an American university. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Scott Kidder  |
 Photo: Lynn Schibeci |
 Photo: Lynn Schibeci |
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Location of the Florentine Neoplatonic Academy |
Via Pieraccini, 17 Florence 50139 Italy +39 55 427 7329 |
This 14th-century building was commissioned by Cosimo il Vecchio. Originally owned by the Lippi family, it passed to the Medici family in the 15th Century and the villa saw both the birth of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his death in 1492, as well as the death of his grandfather, Cosimo il Vecchio. The latter declared it his favorite residence and made it the head of the Neo-Platonic Academy. Lorenzo the Magnificent liked to surround himself with prominent scholars of philosophy such as Marsilio Ficino, Angelo Poliziano, Pico della Mirandola and other members of the Academy. Cosimo, meanwhile, transferred his library and some of his collections here, accommodating Ficino in a nearby house. The many alterations during the Medici and Lorenzo periods as well as the many interventions of various owners over the last two centuries have, unfortunately, not left a trace of the original gardens which were an important aspect of the estate. Free visits are available upon requests made to the current proprietor: l'Azienda Ospedaliera di Firenze who have transferred their offices there. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |