Villa Medicea di Cerreto Guidi, Florence

Villa Medicea was constructed on the orders of Cosimo I between 1565-67. It was part of a project that also involved Buontalenti, who constructed the massive staircases that rise to the top of the villa, giving it an almost fortified appearance. The history of the villa is tempestuous. Isabella de' Medici was killed here by her husband, who suspected her of infidelity. During the last World War it was used for military purposes and, since being acquired by the state, the villa has been restored and converted into a museum. It's furnished with period furniture and has been decorated with a collection of Medici portraits. From the Villa di Cerreto an added excursion can be made to Vinci, the famous hometown of Leonardo da Vinci, to whom the Museo Leonardiano has been dedicated.

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