A view of Palazzo dei VicariScarperia

From the 15^th century on, Scarperia, the “ New Land ”, was the Vicar's residence and, therefore, housed the offices that administered Civil Service and Justice for the Florentine Republic in that vast part of Mugello.

The Medici family, whose policy was to maintain progressive control of the Republican Magistrature, was particularly interested in holding the office and appointing members of loyal families as Viceroys. The members of these families took turns running the office throughout the 15th century.

The Palace is a 14th century structure that has undergone numerous transformations and renovations throughout the centuries. The façade, which is decorated with the coats of arms of the members of the Medici family who held office here throughout the ages, bears witness to the unlimited power of the Medici.

The building is composed of a massive elongated central body with a display of projections - which, on the part overlooking the square, are the result of modern renovations - and a sloping base.

It is now the home of an extremely precious historical archive, and that of the Museum of Cutting Blades, a century old trade of which Scarperia boasts hundreds of years of highly esteemed production.

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On the same square that holds the Palace we find: the Madonna di Piazza Oratory, in which the Viceroy was proclaimed with great ceremony, and the Rectory of St. Jacopo and St. Filippo.