Places of cult in the Mugello
Places of worship near the Fiesole, Trebbio e Cafaggiolo Medici villas and the Pratolino Garden.
Villas included: The Fiesole, Trebbio e Cafaggiolo Medici villas and the Pratolino Garden
An itinerary to the north of Florence to discover places of worship often connected to Medici patronage.
RECOMMENDED MODES OF TRANSPORT
By car or by public transport
STAGES
5 stages
1° STOP
LA BADIA FIESOLANA
The building’s appearance today is due to the work, commissioned in the 15th century by Cosimo the Elder, of two great architects, Brunelleschi and Michelozzo. The church has a single nave with a barrel-vaulted roof. The façade, in the Romanesque style, is made of coloured marble and is similar to San Miniato al Monte and to the Baptistery of San Giovanni.
2° STOP
THE CONVENT OF SAN DOMENICO
The convent lies between Florence and Fiesole. Founded in 1406 by Dominican friars, it is home to, amongst other works, the Fiesole alter piece by Fra Angelico.
3° STOP
FIESOLE CATHEDRAL
The cathedral in Fiesole is a Romanesque basilica with three naves which, due to 19th century restorations, has elements of the Neo-Gothic style. Inside, there are two 16th-century frescos by Pietro Perugino and a beautiful tryptic by Bicci di Lorenza that decorates the main altar. On the right side, you’ll see Leonardo Salutati’s tomb sculpted by Mino da Fiesole.
4° STOP
SANCTUARY OF MONTESENARIO
Heading north towards the forest in Vaglia you’ll reach the Sanctuary of Montesenario. You can get to the convent by car or on foot by following the old tabernacle-lined street, via Crucis. In 1539, Cosimo de’ Medici I decided to restore and enlarge the sanctuary. After, Ferdinand I and Ferdinand II continued to fund the works.
5° STOP
PARISH CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI IN PETROIO
The parish church is in a fantastic position with a view that looks on to a large part of the Mugello area. The Medici family, originally from the area, kept the church for a long time under their patronage, which can be seen in the coat of arms on the façade. The columns and capitals, inspired by the early Middle Ages, are particularly interesting and they are similar to the door on the Parish Church of Sant’Agata and the parish church in Borgo San Lorenzo.
