What better way to discover the history of the Medici family than to visit their favourite country residence ! The Villa Petraia is a stunning example of a Manierist rural estate combining rigorous Italian style gardens and romantic English woodlands and the villa’s majestically decorated state rooms and private quarters. The estate was inhabited from the mid 16th century by the Medici family and 300 years later by King Vittorio Emanuele II and his morganatic wife “ La bella Rosina” The prevailing style of the villa today is late 19th century but the stunning internal courtyard was entirely frescoed in the early 17th century by Volterrano with the historical achievements of the Medici Grand dukes.
There are many curiosities including a huge games room with the original amusements, secret passageways, quirky furniture and decorations.
A 15 minute drive away from the hustle and bustle of Florence which brings you to an oasis of peace and beauty!

* Free entrance to Villa, gardens and park *