Medieval villages in Mugello
Everyone knows Mugello, often mentioned also for motorcycle and formula One races, but also because it is one of the most suggestive valleys in Tuscany, located north of Florence. It is an enchanting environment, modified by man for centuries, full of perfectly preserved small villages of medieval origin. Let’s see which are the main ones and what can be done in Mugello.
The Mugello valley, where it is located
Mugello is a valley that corresponds to the upper course of the Sieve river, south of the Apennines that divides Bologna from Florence.
It is separated from the Arno valley and from Florence by the Mugello Mountains. The landscape is not as rugged as in the high mountains, it is rather gentle and there are numerous agricultural plots, as well as woods.
What to see in Mugello
Museums, medieval villages, but also many excursions into nature, to be done on foot, by bicycle or on horseback: Mugello is an oasis of peace and tranquility, whose many villages have not by chance been named among the most beautiful villages in Italy.
Palazzuolo sul Senio and the palace of Julius II
Let’s start with Palazzuolo sul Senio. In the Palazzo dei Capitani, dating back to the fourteenth century, there is the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Peasant Civilization and Mountain People.
It is a very prestigious building for the village: in 1506 both Pope Julius II and Niccolò Machiavelli stayed there.
In the surroundings, then, there are the Pieve di Santo Stefano, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Neve di Quadalto, immersed in the beech woods, and the Badia Susinana.
Places easily accessible by hiking, mountain biking, or horseback.
Firenzuola: the little Florence
Not far from Palazzuolo stands Firenzuola, the “little Florence” of Mugello. In the fifteenth century the village was almost completely rebuilt at the behest of Lorenzo the Magnificent, and for a certain period he sent Niccolò Machiavelli as governor.
Scarperia and its Palazzo Vecchio
An authentic jewel of Tuscany and not only of Mugello is Scarperia, which has joined the restricted club of the most beautiful villages in Italy. In the heart of the village stands Palazzo dei Vicari, dating back to 1300. Damaged in 1929 by an earthquake, and later restored, it took on an aspect that made it completely similar to the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of the famous Florentine palace, according to some sources is the same as the one of the Scarperia palace.
The facade of the building is decorated with numerous coats of arms in glazed terracotta. Inside is the Museum of cutting tools.
On the main square there are two religious buildings of exquisite workmanship: the Oratory of the Madonna di Piazza and the Propositura, founded in 1326 and dedicated to Saints Jacopo and Filippo.
Marradi, the capital of poetry
Among the villages of Mugello we must not forget Marradi, which we can consider a small capital of poetry, as it is the birthplace of Dino Campana.
It is a suggestive village, crossed by a stream. In the historic center stands Palazzo Torriani, inside which considerable decorations by Galileo Chini and a canvas by the painter Silvestro Lega are preserved.
You should not miss a visit to the Teatro degli Animosi, dating back to the 1700s and a stop in Piazza le Scalelle, the heart of the village.
We are waiting for you at Villa Campestri to visit the most beautiful villages in Mugello
If you can’t wait to visit the most beautiful villages in Mugello and discover a Tuscany rich in history, culture and popular traditions, then we are waiting for you at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort for an unforgettable stay.
Quick Booking snippet
One of the most meaningful experiences during a trip to Tuscany, beyond visiting art cities or iconic landscapes, is connecting with everyday local life. That connection often happens in village markets, artisan workshops, and small food shops where products are made for the people who live there year-round, not just for visitors. In this guide, […]
How to get to Mugello from Florence and how to travel around Tuscany with or without a car. Distances, trains, buses and transfers.
Romantic weekend in Tuscany between Mugello and Florence: scenic rooms, candlelight dinners, and olive oil tastings. Discover Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort.
Anyone visiting Florence for the first time imagines a stay right in the historic center, surrounded by museums, piazzas, and narrow cobblestone streets. It takes only a day, however, to realize that Florence is wonderful to explore yet challenging to inhabit. Between ZTL restrictions, scarce and expensive parking, constant noise, and high prices for even […]
Among the rolling hills of the Mugello, centuries‑old olive trees stand as living presences, deeply rooted in both time and landscape. Their twisted trunks, shaped by wind and sun, tell silent stories of rural life, patience, and renewal. In Tuscany, the olive tree embodies the quiet strength of nature: resilient, enduring, and generous. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, […]
In Tuscany, some words taste like freshly pressed olive oil and warm bread; others echo bedtime stories whispered by grandparents. They’re simple expressions, but rich in meaning, full of identity, character, and that deep-rooted spirit of a land that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. During your stay at Villa Campestri […]
In the Mugello, wonder lives in the silence between the fields, broken only by the rustle of wind through the olive trees. It lingers in the cool shade of cobbled alleys that still echo with generations past. And it gathers in the squares of small villages, where days unfold in quiet conversation over market stalls […]
There’s an authentic way to discover Tuscany: get your hands in the soil, pick what the season offers, and turn it into something to share at the table.Farm‑to‑table is more than a trend: it’s a way of life, rooted in respect, tradition, and honest flavors. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, it’s a daily ritual. […]