Muggello

If after getting acquainted with Florence attractions you’ll feel like having some rest in rural area the best option will be to go to the Mugello. The outskirts to the north from Florence are as beautiful as the city itself is. The hilly landscape with magnificent villas, churches and castle ruins stretches here.

The Mugello area is closely connected with the name of the powerful Medici family. They left the Mugello with lots of traces of their single economic and political power. You can notice that in harmonious layout of settlements, architecture of buildings, mansions and churches, geometrical and rational fields and forests. You can’t but mention the Medici Park in Pratolino, the Vicars Palace in Scarperia, the Medici Fortress in San Piero a Sieve, villa di Cafagiolo, the Trebbio Castle and the Convent of Bosco ai Frati close to Barberino di Mugello among the Mugello attractions related to the Medici.

The mansions of the Medici were located mainly in San Piero a Sieve, Barberino, and Scarperia.

However, the Mugello is worth visiting not only for cultural heritage. Nature of the area is good for having a pleasant healthy walk. Chestnut forests are favorable for tracking. If you are interested in canoeing or windsurfing you can set off to the Bilancino Lake. Golf fans will appreciate the 18 holes course at the golf club of Poggio dei Medici close to Scarperia.

The International Mugello Circuit, Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello, located between Borgo San Lorenzo and Scarperia is another sport attraction of the region. The unique highway of the race track was built in the year of 1914. Reconstructed at the end of the XX century, the circuit is one of the safest and most comprehensive racing constructions of the world. Due to complicated geography of the location, the Mugello was chosen as the Ferrari test center for Formula One. But for tests, prestigious auto and motor sports championships are held here.

If shopping appeals to you more than sports you should visit Barberino di Mugello. Here you’ll get a chance to buy clothing of more than a hundred of designer brands at very reasonable prices.

In case you search for something typical just for this area have a look at metal items. Since the Middle Ages, production of various cutting objects has been organized here as for military purposes so for home and field. If you stop by Scarperia don’t forget to visit one of the four specialized stores where you can buy a full set of cutlery, various knives, scissors and professional instruments.