Villa Medicea La Petraia
This 16th-century castello attained its present-day shape thanks to Ferdinando I de' Medici who conducted a large-scale restoration programme to bring this Brunelleschian structure back to life. The new exterior design is attributed to Buonalenti. The interior frescoes are the work of Volterrano and mostly deal with the life of the Medicis, depicting several significant personae of the day.
As the building became property of the Savoy family, the courtyard, which contains the largest number of frescoes, was covered, and the entire mansion acquired the features of a summer residence. Boasting a lush 16th-century garden with many fountains and pools, the site is currently open to anyone willing to come over for a stroll or to glimpse at its lavishly decorated rooms. The site also organises guided tours, displaying the majesty of the Savoy family in its full splendour.
Name: Villa Medicea La Petraia
Address: Via della Petraia 40
Phone: +39 055 451 208
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