| The Empoli area |
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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 The first historical references to Cerreto date back to 780.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 castle bore witness to their previous dominion. In 1564 the Grand duke wrote a letter giving consent for work to be started, and in a document of 1575 it is shown that the Medici architect Bernardo Buontalenti, presumably the villa's designer, was in the area. The brickwork and stone facade of the Villa is austere, but is balanced by the stone staircases leading to the square, the so-called bridges, thus giving a strong chromatic contrast. The villa's interior is extremely rigorous and embellished with pictorial decorations dating back to the 19th century. The villa is the seat of the Museo Storico of the Hunting and of the Territory. Due to lack of documentation, the origins of the Parish church of San Leonardo are unknown. Inside the church, the baptismal font is of artistic note, made of glazed polychrome terracotta from the workshop of Giovanni della Robbia. Starting from Florence and following the Arno the first town we come to is Montelupo Fiorentino, famous for its ceramics. The town is full of workshops, which continues a tradition which dates back in the Renaissance. So if you are in Montelupo don't miss a visit at the Museo della Ceramica, entirely devoted to the art of ceramics and its development over the centuries.
On the right bank of the Arno lie Capraia and Limite. The first is perched above the river, the second is a landing-stage on the riverside. Limite is strongly related to the river, it boasts Italy's oldest rowing society. We recommned a visit to the Centro espositivo sulla storia della cantieristica e del canottaggio, displaying models and documents of the most important naval shipyards. In the area you can also visit the Park of the Villa Bibbiani, a romantic park created by the botanist Cosimo Ridolfi.
Not to be missed are the birthplace of Leonardo at Anchiano, and the Museo Leonardiano in the castle. The museums has been completely re-organized, has many multi-media applications and the famous "machines" created according to Loenardo's original drawings. In the basement of the castle is the many-sided Museo Ideale Leonardo Da Vinci.
Tthe Villa has a very simple façade and stands up spectacular ramps in front; in the interior is hosted the Historical Museum of Hunting and the Territory. The paintings and frescoes are mostly dating back to the 19th century. Beside the villa the parish- church of San Leonardo, with works by Della Robbia inside.
Within the territory of the commune is the Padule di Fucecchio, the largest marshy area in Italy, invaluable for its flora and fauna.
It is interesting also the Fondazione Montanelli Bassi, containing the reconstructed studies of Indro Montanelli, a great Italian journalist who was born here.
And last but not least Empoli , the chief town of the area, with a fine historic centre, numerous small manufacturing businesses and a lively cultural life. We advise a visit to the Collegiata (Collegiate Church) of Sant’Andrea), with its Romanesque façade in green and white marble, and the nearby Museo della Collegiata, containing many paintings from the 14th to 16th century. Not far off, at Pontorme, is the church of San Michele and the house of the painter Pontormo. Empoli has also a new museum dedicated to the production of green glass, a typical one for this town. The museum is called Museo del vetro (glass museum).
If you want to know more about the Empoli area visit the website www.toscananelcuore.it If you are looking for a tourist information office in this area check here. |
Also in a hilly location is Cerreto Guidi, for centuries closely connected with the Medici villa of that name.
The most interesting monuments in Fucecchio are to be found on the Poggio Salamartano, with the castle of which the ancient towers still stand.
