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Detail
of the Donatello
wooden crucifix, expression of
deepness and complexity of the
naturalism of Donatello.
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Medicean
presence and activities have left some unequivocal traces consisting of
artistical and architectonic witnesses placed in a naturalistic-environmental
context of great charm.
As a matter of fact, Medici family decided to set up a political-economical "protectorate" in
a united territory (between San Piero a Sieve north-western hills and
a short part of the wide plain below).
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The
Trebbio Castle
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Therefore,
when we start looking for Medicean presence, the Bosco ai Frati convent
appears as a real discovery since it is hidden by a natural wood made
of oak trees and Turkey oaks. Founded by Ubaldini family before the year
Thousand, it is considered as one of the most ancient convent in Tuscany.
This building attained a high artistical and architectural value thanks
to Cosimo dei Medici's intervention: in 1420 he charged Michelozzo Michelozzi
to restore the building.
The ancient
convent walls hide a real artistic masterpiece: the wooden Christ unanimously
ascribed to Donatello. Not far from Bosco ai Frati, it is possible to
admire the wonderful Cafaggiolo Villa. Here, the visitor's gaze mixes
up with the harmonic interplay of its geometrical forms. The villa was
planned in 1451 by Michelozzo and despite its preservation state, the
facade keeps its original aspect intact and it shows the essential characteristics
of the plan, namely the design linearity, the stateliness and the complex
articulation of the building volumes.
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The
Trebbio Castle
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Cafaggiolo
villa presents a curiosness: it is located at the borderline between San
Piero a Sieve and Barberino di Mugello being some parts of it in one municipality,
some others in the other one.
In order to reach the Trebbio villa, it is necessary to climb along a
narrow road threading through a thick beech and oak wood. When we reach
the Medicean building, the view we perceive is beautiful: the Trebbio
villa, built between 1427 and 1436, rises on a hill dominating the whole
Mugello.
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The
San Martino fortress
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For this
reason Medici loved it very much indeed. The famous commander of a group
of mercenaries, Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, lived there a long time with
his wife Maria Salvati.
This overview of the Medici settlements is completed by San Martino fortress
located on a hill above San Piero a Siede. This military building was
built more recently. Building works started actually in 1569 for the Grand
Duke Cosimo's will.
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The
Bosco ai FratiConvent
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Visits and
information
Convento
Bosco ai Frati: visits by appointment, phone 055.848111
Trebbio - Cafaggiolo: visits by appointment, call Associazione Turismo
e Ambiente 055.8456230
Fortezza di San Martino: visits by appointment, call Municipal Tourist
office 055.8487521
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