Visit the Mugello? Welcome to the “other side” of Tuscany

Mugello is that area of Tuscany that extends north of Florence, rich in historical and artistic beauty and dotted with small towns and villages to discover.

Increasingly “visit the Mugello” takes on new meaning related to the fashions of the moment: the Mugello circuit, in the municipality of Scarperia, where every year there is the World Motorcycling Championship, and the Barberino Designer Outlet McArthurGlen represent points of fundamental tourist reference.

But not everyone knows that here where born the great Renaissance masters such as Giotto, Fra Angelico, Andrea del Castagno and from here came the most powerful Florentine family in the history of Tuscany, the Medici family.

Visit the Mugello to rediscover the art and the Renaissance classical treasures, to be able to experience the region in a spirit completely changed meaning back in touch with our history and our true traditions.

What to see in Mugello

We enter on tiptoe in this magical reality and discover what it can offer its discerning guests, what you can see in Mugello and what you may appreciate.

In the Middle Ages the most important communication routes passed through the Mugello Valley that connected Florence to Bologna.

The main street was called “The Way of St. Agatha.”

Here, before 1000 a.C, it was built the magnificent church of St. Agatha, one of the most significant Romanesque buildings in Tuscany.

In the Oratory della Pieve dating back to the sixteenth century are collected paintings, sculptures and works of minor art of sacred medieval art.

Also in Sant’Agata we recommend a visit to the prehistoric village where they played three huts of the time: one of the hunters of the Paleolithic era, one of the farmers and breeders of the Bronze Age and one of the Iron Age with many objects of everyday.

At the “Polifunzionale” Center of Sant’Agata is the Museum of Rural and Artisan Life with moving characters and scenes designed and made by Faliero Lepri, said Leprino.

In more than 90 years, Leprino has created and built with amazing skills memories and stories to preserve and pass on.

The characters, built with a wood frame, within which are inserted electric motors, are covered with papier-mâché, lined with fabric clothing, according to the style of the period when Leprino was a child (these were the years ’40-’50) and connected by a dense network of electric wires, so to move in synchrony.

Each character faithfully reproduces the gestures of their role.

The buildings are made of cardboard, while the tools and utensils are made of wood and aluminum.

Why visit the Mugello?

Angle less beaten by the traditional tourism, Mugello is the birthplace of Art Nouveau as one of its greatest exponents, Galileo Chini, founded in 1906 in Borgo San Lorenzo the “Fornaci du San Lorenzo” with his cousin Chino Chini.

Interestingly the itinerary proposed by the Liberty “Mugello Cradle of the Renaissance” to the discovery of Liberty with a visit to the Museum of Chini and visit the historical center of Borgo San Lorenzo.

Rich in history also the journey to discover the Medici Villas, the residences of the Florentine family who has always maintained a close bond with this land.

Beautiful are Trebbio Castle, the Cafaggiolo Castle and the Medici Fortress of San Martino in San Piero a Sieve built by Cosimo I in 1569.

An interesting stop is the majestic Palazzo dei Vicari in Scarperia, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, now the Museum of Cutting Tools that dedicates an exhibition space to this more important artisan activity of these places since the Middle Ages, the art the manufacture of knives (the most famous types of knives produced in Scarperia are Zuava, Mozzetta and Fiorentino), scissors and sharp blades in general.

In the Convent of Bosco ai Frati, near Galliano, you will find a wooden crucifix attributed to Donatello, produced in pear wood and lacquer plaster.

The convent was founded by the Ubaldini before the year 1000 a.C. and is considered one of the most ancient in Tuscany.

Immersed in ancient woods of oak, beech and chestnut trees is the ancient Badia Vallombrosana di Moscheta, founded in 1034 by San Giovanni Gualberto and now owned by the Region of Tuscany.

Within the architectural complex of the Abbey are the Museum of the Historical Landscape of the Apennines, the laboratory dedicated to environmental education, the hostel, the farmhouse, the restaurant and the handling.

This explains why go to Mugello: different eyes can lead to fascinating discoveries and spiritual experiences you will not forget.

Tourism in Mugello, a Tuscan alternative

Besides the historical and artistic attraction of this land, food and wine tradition is amazingly interesting in Mugello.

Food and wine are 2 key-elements that bring new life to tourism in Mugello.

Every Tuesday morning in Borgo San Lorenzo is held the Local Farmer’s Market.

The most typical dish is “Tortelli di patate del Mugello”, stuffed pasta with potatoes, garlic and parsley.

Each family has its own recipe, handed down from generation to generation but “Tortelli” are stuffed pasta with filling of boiled potatoes and sauteed with chopped garlic and parsley, parmesan and pecorino.

The Chianti Rufina Road starts right from the town of Dicomano only 6 Km far from Villa Campestri.

The road is dotted with family-owned wineries that produce a high quality Chianti DOCG wine, Chianti Rufina.

Mugello is also significant in dairy production and excellent meat, chestnut called “Marroni” (an IGP product) and delicious sausages.

Visit the Mugello is for us a complete path of sensations, tastes and traditions which we believe is an extraordinary experience for the inhabitants of Villa Campestri, an heritage shared by those who lived for years in these territories and could not live far from this place.