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Page 1 of 3 The first signs of human settlement at Campestri date back to extremely ancient times as is demonstrated by the presence of a nearby barrow and wall of Etruscan origin. Just a few kilometres away there is the famous Etruscan settlement of Poggio Colla, which is being excavated by Professor Gregory Warden of the Southern Methodist University in Texas and by Professor Michael Thomas of the University of Michigan [P. G. Warden, M. L. Thomas, Ann Steiner, and Gretchen Meyers, “Excavations at Poggio Colla (Vicchio di Mugello): 1998-2004”, Journal of Roman Archaeology]. The first records of the villa date from the 13th century, in the Bullettone codex, which is preserved in the archives of the Florence archbishopric. This document, which contains a register of the Episcopal properties and the relative deeds, reveals that on 13th June 1222 a certain Rota da Campestri sold all his holdings to the Florentine archbishopric, thereby becoming a vassal – a common practice in that period in order to avoid the ever-growing interference of the Communes. At that time the nucleus of the villa was a small defensive fortress protected by watchtowers, the remains of which can still be seen today. This was built over a spring, and in fact a fine example of an artesian well, which once provided the water for household use, can still be admired today in the “Sala del Pozzo” (Well Room) of the villa. In the late 14th century, Michele d’Antonio di Rota commissioned the fresco in the shrine near the entrance from the Florentine painter Lorenzo di Bicci (probably of the school of Spinello Aretino). Today the outline of the fresco is still visible in the shrine, while the original fresco is on display at the Beato Angelico museum in Vicchio. At about the same time the little chapel inside the villa was built, and Lorenzo di Bicci was given the task of creating another fresco in the shrine inside it. This chapel is still consecrated and the fresco can be seen in all its splendour.
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