Cerreto Guidi

Overview

The township of Cerreto Guidi lies between two areas of great naturalistic interest, Montalbano to the East and the Padule (Westlands) of Fucecchio to the West, and is predominantly an agricultural hill area. The inhabitants of the countryside are widespread and the rural landscape has kept its own balance, being still rich in traditional vineyards and olive groves. Against a background of a well-kept and preserved countryside, we can see the homesteads, farms, villas and churches so typical of Tuscan hillside scenery.

The first historical references to Cerreto date back to 780. The name Cerreto in Greti was used until 1079 when it was changed due to dominion by the Guidi counts. The end of the feudal age and the hand-over of Cerreto to the Florentines officially took place in 1273. The 17th century was fundamental to the history of Cerreto, when its future was sealed by linking the name of the city to the Medici family.

The Medicean Complex, which bears witness to the rule of the family over the village, stands in a central position. It is made up of the Museo Villa Medicea, the farm, which is separated from the manor house by the Parish church of San Leonardo, and the four stone staircases leading to the square in front of the villa, known as the ponti medicei (Medicean bridges).

The area was obviously so dear to Cosimo dei Medici that he wanted to build a splendid residence on the peak of one of the hills where a then-derelict Guidi...more

History