Discover the Medici Villa Camugliano | Historical tour

Once upon a time there was a Medici villa...

The charm of bygone times and the close connection with the country can be seen when visiting the park and the buildings adjacent to the Medici Villa, where the interweaving of villa life and country life is best expressed. The tour will familiarize you with the architectural features that are characteristic of each part of the villa.
You will walk through the estate between centuries-old oak trees and grassy areas, enjoying breathtaking views and getting to know places that were once important to life on the estate and its prosperity, such as the ancient Ghiacciaia, the cold chamber, and the Burraia, a small relic North-facing building shaded by huge holm oaks and originally used for butter processing.
The tour of the estate also gives visitors the opportunity to get to know the individual locations where various agricultural activities used to take place: the spinning mill, the carpenter's shop with the small blacksmith shop and the charming wine vaults. You will visit the old underground cellars that were used for wine processing. The walk ends at the stables and barns, evidence of a past that the owner wants to preserve and pass on to future generations. The living area of ​​the villa cannot (unfortunately!) be visited as it is inhabited by the Niccolini family who own it.

organic natural products

After the tour, you can stop for a drink at the organic shop. There you will find red and white wine.

Bed and breakfast

You can in Holiday home Camugliano Stay directly at the villa or in the Locanda di Camugliano (with breakfast)

A touch of history...

Villa Medicea di Camugliano (also known as Villa Niccolini) is one of the most important estates in Tuscany. It is located in the municipality of Ponsacco, in the village of Camugliano, a location considered strategically important by the Medici as they were very interested in the Pisan Plain to ensure safe access to Pisa and the sea. The centuries-long history of the villa, founded in 1532 by Duke Alessandro de Medici, is closely intertwined with the fate of the Niccolini family, which began about a century later. In 1634, Filippo Niccolini, a Florentine patrician, expressed interest in purchasing the property, which was in poor condition at the time. He concluded the deal on September 23, 1634 for the sum of 50.000 scudi and was simultaneously appointed Marchese of Camugliano and Ponsacco. This was the birth of the villa as we know it today. The Niccolini immediately began work to restore and restore the entire complex, enlisting the help of Florentine architects who were inspired by the Medici villas of the late 16th century. Some structural changes were made, such as the construction of a double stair ramp to the Loggetta. The park was redesigned as an English Garden. In addition, the vineyards were expanded, the land was cultivated and the garden was laid out, in which the original three-part division has been preserved to this day: vegetable garden, pomarium (fruit trees) and flower garden with an additional chicken coop.