The castle of Cafaggiolo

The castle of Cafaggiolo is North of Florence, in the valley of the River Sieve, known as the Mugello. This is the area in which the Medici Family had its origins.
The original plan of the castle dates from the fourteenth century at which time it was a fortress of the Repubblic.
In 1443 it passed into the hands of the Medici family through an inheritance. In 1452 Cosimo the Elder asked Michelozzo to transform the old fortress into a residential home. While he was working on the transformation Michelozzo took into account the new needs and tastes of the age.
The medieval fortress remained but around it a renaissance villa arose which opened out into the surrounding countryside. It became a noble residence for relaxation and enjoyment.
In the "lunette" by Utens, (1599) it is possible to see the austere outline of the construction but also to feel the relaxing atmosphere which surrounds the villa.
Inside the walls the Medici stayed for long periods and where they entertained many famous writers and artists. The spacious rooms and surrounding grounds were the meeting place for parties, dances and receptions for Popes and Princes. Lorenzo the Magnificent spent part of his childhood at Cafaggiolo and as an adult he would often spend his time here surronded be men of culture such as Pulci, Poliziano, Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola.
Pulci read "Morgante" at the dinner table of the castle and it is thought that Poliziano composed part of the "Stanze" and Lorenzo would amuse himself composing "canti carnascialeschi".
In 1515 the doors of the castle were opened to Pope Leone X who had grown up there together with his brothers and his mother Clarice Orsini. Future Medici brides were also received at the caste.
Margherite of Austria was welcomed by Catherine de Medici and twelve ladies in waiting. In 1665 Joanne of Austria arrived here before her marriage with the Gran Duke Francis I.

After the Medici family had died out at the death of Giangastone in 1737, the castle of Cafaggiolo continued to attract a great number of famous people. It passed into the hands of the Hapsburg Lorraine family and then in 1864 the italian gorvernment sold it to Prince Borghese who carried out large scale modifications to the Michelozzo construction which until then had remained unaltered for centuries. The enclosing walls and the central tower were demolished, the moat was filled in. The rooms inside were redecorated in ancient style. At the present it is a private property.
The castle can accommodate only the bride and groom for the wedding night.

Services offered

• Lunch and dinner for groups with various menus both traditional and modern.
• Weddings and receptions. For the first night the the bride and groom will be able to reserve the Princess Borghese bedroom.
• Special events, gala evenings, theme parties, congress, fashion shows.
• Special shows with renaissance cooking.
• Special welcome by staff in sixteenth century costumes, and recitation of madriagals and odes.
• Various show of music and dancing.
• Floral decorations, stage illumination by oil lamps and traditional torches.

Technical datas

Capacity of the ground floor rooms for traditional ceremonies:

1. Sale del Cardinale (n° 180 seats)
2. Sale dell'Attesa (n° 60 seats)
3. Sala del Trucco ( n° 80 seats)
4. La Corte del Castello (n° 250 persons)
   Capacity for Cocktail Parties (n° 500 persons)

Capacity of the first floor rooms and lounges:

1. The Gallery (n° 180 seats)
2. I Salotti (n° 80 seats)
   Capacity for Meetings and Conferences (n° 300 persons)