Visit Villa Petraia and Villa di Castello On A 3 Hour Tour
Highlights
Florence
architectural, cultural, historical
Group Tour
3 Hours
Easy
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Languages
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Description
Explore the Villa Petraia and Villa di Castello, the most fascinating Medicean residences located on the outskirts of this city. The villas are connected by a boulevard. This private tour is designed for those wishing to enjoy arts, history, tranquility and serenity out of city center.
Itinerary
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Florence Tour
Villa Petraia was originally owned by Brunelleschi family, he was later sold to the rich Florentine banker Palla Strozzi in 1422, to Salutati, and in 1544 was bought by Cosimo I de 'Medici. Cosimo gave the building to his son Cardinal Ferdinando, who became Grand Duke in 1587, transformed the structure from stately building to residence of princes. He expanded the garden and made three terraces: the first placed dwarf plants, the second was decorated with flower beds and the third was occupied by trees and citruses. The center of the structure is the Ballroom, which boasts splendid eighteenth-century frescoes. Villa Petraia was the love nest of the beautiful Rosina and Vittorio Emanuele II.
The Villa di Castello lies along the route of a Roman aqueduct. One of the oldest property of Medici, it was sold in 1477 to Lorenzo and Giovanni di Pierfrancesco de Medici after restoration.
Cosimo I organized the garden as a propaganda tool, embellishing it with fountains, monuments and sculptures, symbolizing the personal power and dynastic family. Feature of the garden is the Cave of Animals, made by Tribolo. It is divided into three niches each containing a bath covered in marble and decorated with mosaics and seashells. And the astonishing living room, frescoed by the nineteenth-century landscapes, is for conferences and public sessions of the Academy of Crusca nowadays.
What's Included
Know Before You Go
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
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This is a group tour |
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