Discover Mugello


Itinerary 1

The Medici's Legacy Today


After shopping at Barberino Designer Outlet, follow this itinerary that will bring you from Barberino di Mugello to Vicchio and back again via San Piero a Sieve by car. Along this route, you will find some fun activities like trekking paired with cultural stops such as visits to Villa Cafaggiolo or the Museum House of Giotto. You'll aslo be able to trace the Medici family's legacy through some important buildings and castles. 

Follow the numbers on the map to recreate this itinerary and find our suggestions for activities, cultural points of interest, gastronomy, and accommodations below. The red route is the main itinerary but you can stop along the blue route detours to further discover the area.

Main Destinations
1. Barberino di Mugello
2. Lake Bilancino         
3. Cafaggiolo         
4. San Piero a Sieve         
5. Larciano - Olmi    
6. Vicchio                             
7. Borgo San Lorenzo   
8. Petrona             
9. Latera - Lake 

Detours
A. Sagginale - San Cresci in Valcava - Campestri - Barbiana
B. Dicomano - San Godenzo
C. Vespignano - Santa Maria a Vezzano - Gattaia 
D. Senni - Luco di Mugello - Grezzano - Scarperia - Pianvallico

A brief stop in the village of Barberino is worthwhile if only to admire the sculptures of Maestro Giuliano Vangi, who was born here. As soon as you leave the city center, Lake Bilancino dazzles. It is an artificial basin set in the landscape as a welcome guest, among the rolling hills that are reflected in its still waters. Nearby it is possible to reach some of the traces left by the Medici family, originally from this area, and who played a central role in the Renaissance: Trebbio Castle, and the Bosco ai Frati ConventVilla di Cafaggiolo was a residence loved by the representatives of the family, which persuades us how much this harsh and sweet land can hold real surprises.
A little further on, is the Medici Fortress of San Martino. Going beyond the village of San Piero a Sieve, where, it is impossible not to visit the baptismal font of Giovanni della Robbia, the road invites you to look around. Between farms and manor houses, the gentle slopes become more decisive with the hills of Monte Giovi.
Further away, rocky Monte Falterona stands out clearly, where the Arno river rises. An enchanting area, full of history, and easily accessible in a short time is San Cresci in Valcava, with its millenary church, and then Barbiana, which exudes more recent memories and where the unique experience of Don Milani paved the way to the modern school.
It is with this awareness that one approaches the challenging territory of Vicchio, home to two important artists such as Giotto and Beato Angelico. A detour allows you to flank Lake Montelleri and through small hamlets you can reach remarkable panoramic views. On the way back, it is also worth visiting Giotto’s house in Vespignano, also immersed in a panoramic setting.
Just a few kilometers further and you will reach Borgo San Lorenzo. There are many possible stimuli here, such as a visit to the Chini ceramics museum, and the Pecchioli store, which lead to a Liberty itinerary in the center, and a dip into art nouveau.
Another second digression from the main itinerary leads to Scarperia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy with Palazzo dei Vicari. And if you find yourself in the village you can still find the master cutlers who forge their precious knives. A little further on, at the Mugello Circuit, car and motorcycle races are held at an international level. Past and the present are seamlessly integrated.
And from here, we return to Lake Bilancino, but this time on the more picturesque side, which is worth a few stops for a selfie or, in the summer, for a refreshing descent towards the only bathing establishment, the exotic Bahia.

Activities & Views


There’s so much to see and do in one visit, but any trip to Mugello should include a few of the following ideas

UNA Poggio dei Medici Golf Club

Via della Compagnia, 50037 San Piero a Sieve 
2 trekking "rings" that start from Piazzale della Pieve and extend 26 and 18 km respectively while winding through Sant'Agata, Monte Calvi, Galliano, Bosco ai Frati, and back to San Piero or to the Trebbio Castle, Lake Bilancino, Cafaggiolo again towards San Piero. The distances can take up to 7 hours trekking.

Via Cistio snc, 50039 Vicchio 
Riding school with horses and ponies for adults and children from 4 years old. English riding and show jumping as well as summer camps are organized where, in addition to riding, children learn to take care of the ponies (cleaning, grooming, harness care), and the horse and stables. 

Senni-San Carlo, 15, 50038 Scarperia e San Piero
Designed in the 1970s and then renovated, the circuit is one of the most evocative, modern, and safe tracks on the inernational scene. The track has not changed over the years which is rare on the international scene. It is the test and trial site of the F1, for leading manufacturers in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships, as well as for national and international car and motorcyle manufacturers. The track stretches for over 5,000 meters in the woods and green Tuscan hills. 

Via di S. Gavino 27, 50038 Scarperia e San Piero
Inaugurated in 1992, this 18 hole par 73 course, was designed by the architect Alvise Rossi Fioravanti and Baldovino Dassù, according to the standards of the USGA, and is one of the most prestigious courses in Italy.

Cultural Points of Interest


History and culture are deeply rooted in Mugello

Villa di Cafaggiolo

Piazza Cavour 36, 50031 Barberino di Mugello
The building's facade has stone and marble coats of arms, enriched by a 16th century portal and framed windows. It is also equipped with a modern bell tower and clock and has undergone a vast renovation in the past few years. Analyzing the coat of arms and inscriptions, it can be assumed that the building was not completed before 1536. 

Villa di Cafaggiolo
Via Nazionale 16, 50031 Barberino di Mugello
Since 2013, this imposing structure has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was one of Lorenzo the Magnificent's favorite residences and was built by Michelozzi in about 1451 for the Medici family at the request of Cosimo il Vecchio. The architect converted the former manor house into an innovative estate-type residence. 

Beato Angelico Sacred Art Museum
Viale Beato Angelico 2, 50039 Vicchio 
The museum aims to share the history of share-farming, a way of life that characterized the Mugello for centuries. Due to share-farming, many houses and churches were abandoned in the 60s which lead to a lot of vulnerable pieces of art. The museum houses liturgical paintings and furnishings intertwined with the religious life of the community. 
 
Museum House of Giotto
Località Vespignano 164, 50039 Vicchio
The museum house is the birthplace of Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), born to a peasant family and who later became the genius of the pre-Renaissance period.

Palazzo dei Vicari 
Piazza dei Vicari, 50038 Scarperia e San Piero
This 14th century building has undergone numerous transformations and renovations throughout the centuries. The facade, which is decorated with the Medici family's coats of arms who held office here throughout the ages, bears witness to their unlimited power.

Gastronomy


A selection of restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, and much more where you can enjoy a real taste of Tuscan cuisine

Il Colle è

Via Del Lago 21, 50031 Barberino Di Mugello 
Restaurant with delicatessen a stone's throw from the A1 highway exit and the Outlet. You can find many local km0 products such as cold cuts and meat from their farm, Tuscan bread baked daily, and canutcci biscuits. Do not miss their seasonal delicacies such as Tortelli Mugellani and gourmet pizzas.
 
Rivasud Restaurant
S.S. 65 Cafaggiolo, Loc. Bandino, 50031 Barberino di Mugello
Housed in a carefully restored 17th century stone barn, immersed in the green rolling hills, Rivasud restaurant is the ideal location for conventions, business meetings, gala dinners, brunches, and cocktails. The cuisine will allow you to discover the flavors and aromas of our territory as all dishes are prepared according to tradition. 
 
La Casa del Prosciutto Restaurant
Via Ponte a Vicchio1, 50039 Vicchio
Rooted in history dating back to 1295, La Casa del Prosciutto today is a delicatessen and restaurant that owes its identity to strong family ties and to the preservation of the Mugello's culinary traditions. Here you'll find handmade pasta, cold cuts of the highest quality, and traditional favorites such as wild boar.
 
Bahia Cafè
Via Gastone Nencini, 50031 Barberino di Mugello
Bathing establishment on Lake Bilancino with crystal clear water that offers a variety of activities such as water sports, boat rentals, yoga, and calisthenics as well as a restaurant, pizzeria, and cocktail bar for a sunset aperitif, nestled between the green rolling hills of the Mugello.

Wine tastings
Mugello has a few family run vineyards with excellent wines to be discovered. Book a wine tasting or tour of the vineyard! 

Accommodations


A selection of some of the best hotels, agritourisms, resorts, and B&Bs along this itinerary

Albergo La Felicina

Piazza Colonna 14, 50038 Scarperia e San Piero
The hotel has belonged to the Ducci family since the mid-nineteenth century and is still their residence today. Rebuilt after the war around the Medicean tower (1450), it has always been a hotel that has been run like a household. The decor is always in progress and curated by Carlo Ducci, long time Features Director of Vogue Italia and Casa Vogue alongside Franca Sozzani. Furniture from vaiorus periods and contemporary art flank the works of Bruno Ducci, a skilled maker of model ships and flying machines that can be found throughout the home, on the terrace, in the garden and in the bedrooms. 

Agriturismo Poggio agli Ulivi 
Via di Camoggiano 2, 50031 Barberino di Mugello
Poggio agli Ulivi was transformed from a traditional 19th century Tuscan farmhouse into an agritourism. It enjoys a privileged position located on top of the Camoggiano hill, from which you can admire Lake Bilancino and the Mugello Valley. 

Via di Campestri 19/22, 50039 Vicchio di Mugello
The resort, set in the Mugello valley, traces the history and traditions of Tuscany, a land full of open-air masterpieces and treasures. With more than 800 years of history, the Villa is testimony to its past. The property is surrounded by luscious olive groves. Try a tasting in their Oleoteca!

Via dei Pini 1, 50039 Vicchio
Montelleri Residenza di Campagna is lakeside in a vast natural park. Montelleri became a gallery to the artists of Mugello and is ready to welcome you to relax. Staying in Montelleri, surrounded by works of artists such as Giotto allows you to be moved by the profound ties between art and nature in Tuscany.
Itineraries and introductions by Carlo Ducci & Elisabetta Boni
Mugello landscape photos by Christian Ghelardini

Watercolor maps by Lisa Brancatisano
Photos of hotels, restaurants, and activities provided by each entity

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