Artimino

Artimino is an interesting choice for you if, during your trip to Tuscany, you would like to combine cultural history, a medieval-looking village, and wine. The topics range from Etruscan tombs and a Romanesque parish church to a Medici villa with an unusual roof design. This allows you to bring together different interests in a culturally focused stay without reducing the village to a single experience.

A medieval village and its cultural history

The Borgo di Artimino preserves its intact medieval layout. An ancient clock tower marks the entrance to the village and makes the historic structure of the place visible as soon as you arrive. For a tour, it is particularly interesting that the focus is not just on a single architectural monument; instead, several layers of history can be recognized side by side. The Pieve di San Leonardo provides a particularly early point of reference. Its original Romanesque layout probably dates from the second half of the 10th century; the church is located 230 meters above sea level. Inside, there is also a polychrome terracotta group depicting the Visitation, from the Della Robbia school. The combination of the probably medieval layout and this work of art makes the Pieve an independent cultural highlight. The Etruscan necropolis of Prato Rosello takes you even further back in time. It is characterized by tombs in the form of tumuli and dates from the late 8th to the 6th century BC. Here, the term describes the particular form of the tombs; what is decisive for the dating is the great distance from the medieval and modern history of the village. Those interested in the early cultures of Tuscany will find a distinctly different focus here than at the Pieve or in the village.

Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda

Another notable aspect is Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda, also known as the “Villa dei cento camini.” Its nickname comes from the roof with numerous chimneys, each of which has a different design. Ferdinando I commissioned the villa as a residence for himself and his guests during the hunting seasons. He entrusted the design to the court architect Bernardo Buontalenti; the building was completed between 1596 and 1600. In June 2013, the villa was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Museum visit and wine

The Museo Archeologico di Artimino lists seasonal opening hours. From March 1 to October 31, it is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 09:30 to 13:30; on Saturdays and Sundays, it is additionally open from 15:00 to 18:00. From November 1 to February 28, the museum lists opening hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 09:30 to 13:30 and from 14:00 to 16:00. For groups of 15 or more, openings are possible upon request. The museum's history also includes the fact that the new location opened on March 26, 2011, in the former wine cellars of the Fattoria di Artimino in the Borgo di Artimino. Wine is also part of the local offering: in Artimino, guided tastings of its own wines are offered by prior reservation. This allows you to complement the cultural focus with a culinary appointment, provided that you reserve it in advance. Other destinations at a glance: Vernio, Fornacelle, Carmignano, Colle, Poggio A Caiano, Montemurlo, Prato, Vaiano.

For the overview of the broader region: Prato.