Villa di Careggi

This is one of the first residences of the Medici family.
The villa was bought by the father of Cosimo the Elder who had it enlarged by Michelozzo in 1454. It was the seat of the Platonic Academy, and the restoration, wanted by Cosimo I, added the frescos cycles by Pontormo and Bronzino.

By the mid 19th century the park was transformed according to the romantic taste of the owner Francis Joseph Sloane. Today it belongs to the Regione Toscana, and it is undergoing restoration works.

An understanding of the original design is not permitted by the trees that have been planted after. Of particular interest are the lemon-house and the grotto under the villa.