The Medici Villa Careggi
The Villa Medici Careggi is located north of Florence and is renowned for having been the seat of the Platonic Academy and because here both Cosimo and Lorenzo Il Magnifico died. On the coat of arms of the villa there are 7 red balls on a gold background.
On June 17, 1417 Lorenzo di Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici bought the villa from the Lippi family for 800 gold florins. In 1457 Cosimo expanded and improved the villa as well as incorporate many farms around the main building. The property, in fact, was so large that it reached the borders of the villas Trebbio and Cafaggiolo in Mugello. The plans for the improvements were entrusted to Michelozzo, the favorite architect of Cosimo the Elder. In fact, according to some historians, the lodge and the angular columns were probably made by Giuliano da Sangallo.
Lorenzo the Magnificent loved this villa and here he spent some time with leading artists and writers of the moment. Part of the garden, in fact, was the meeting place of the Platonic Academy founded by Marsilio Ficino, who owned a farm on the property. Even Donatello , a friend of Cosimo the Elder, and Poliziano resided in the villa. In addition, frequent guests were Leon Battista Alberti, Michelozzo, Pico della Mirandola and Michelangelo. In 1492 Lorenzo the Magnificent died and the house was burned and sacked by the opponents of the Medici family . Alessandro de' Medici regained power and called Pontormo and Bronzino to restore the mansion, but little by little it began to lose its importance and power. The works of Verrocchio, the Putto with the dolphin and the Resurrection in terracotta, were moved from the Villa Careggi into the Palazzo Vecchio.
In 1779 the villa was bought by the Orsi who in 1848 sold it to Francis Sloane, a wealthy Englishman who transformed the garden, creating a romantic park. In 1936 the house passed to the Administration of the Hospital of Florence.
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A selection of our most requested villas in the area:
Luxury villa sleeping 8 a few kilometres from Gambassi Terme, in the heart of Florence countryside. Garden, swimming pool, hydromassage, Internet connection. Tennis court, riding stable and golf club nearby. Possibility of organising horseback and mountain-bike rides in the neighbourhood.
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Villa for holidays on the hills of the Florentine countryside. Accommodation for 12+2 people, garden, private swimming pool, hydro massage, Internet connection.
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Villa with annexed cottage sleeping 6 in Valdisieve, near San Godenzo (Florence). Garden, barbecue, whirlpool swimming pool, air conditioning, Internet connection. A few kilometres from Lake Bilancino and the National Park of Casentino Forests.
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Small villa sleeping 6 near Reggello, in Valdisieve, just a few kilometres from Florence. Swimming pool, Internet connection, air conditioning. Cooking lessons, dinners and guided tours are organised upon request.
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