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Built by one of the Medicis, Francesco I, as a “garden wonderland”, it is known as Villa Demidoff for the family of industrialists of Russian origin who purchased it in 1872. . The villa built in the 16th century no longer exists, and the park, once studded with fountains, labyrinths, water-driven automatons, and artificial grottos, over the centuries was stripped of many of these works.
 But what remains is the enchantment of its breathtaking nature, with expansive green spaces and meadows in addition to the "wonders" that still populate it, including the Colossus of the Apennines, a giant sculpture by Giambologna, as well as the grotto of Cupid, the fountain of the Mugnone, and the chapel designed by Buontalenti in 1580.
All these extraordinary things are still there and you can visit them on a special day spent in this lovely green area just a few kilometres from the centre of Florence.
How to get there: by car: take Via Bolognese in the direction of Pratolino, Vaglia by bus: from Santa Maria Novella station take the 25A line Via Fiorentina, Pratolino The Park will open again in Spring 2012.
FREE ADMISSION Restaurant service info 055 4080734
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Discover the Parco Mediceo di Pratolino. With meadows, woods, and ponds, it is one of the largest parks in Tuscany.
