In Mugello, a few kilometres from Florence, traces of a history of worthy of a great European capital can be found. Various settlements were established along the length of the River Sieve. Important Etruscan settlements then became the base for Roman colonies and hamlets. The Guidi and Ubaldini who ruled the area during medieval times, soon entered into competition with the city of Florence that was expanding and looking to take over “new lands”.

From the 14th century, this area underwent a period of significant development thanks to the strategic and economic value that the Mugello basin represented for Florence. The Medici family, originally from this area, along with the Lorenesi made it their feather in their caps, investing large financial resources to consolidate their presence around the outskirts of Florence. Important architecture and fortifications, castles, villas and buildings are testament to this time of development in the Mugello area.