A few kilometres from Florence, in the Mugello, we can find traces of history worthy of a great European capital. Along the river Sieve centres of ancient origins and complex foundation rise at close distances. Important Etruscan areas became a place of settlements and villages in Roman times. The Mediaeval Lordships - the Guidi and the Ubaldini- were soon in competition with the Commune of Florence which was expanding and in search of "new lands".

Starting in 1300 this area went through a renewed period of a remarkable development thanks to the particular strategic and economic value that the Mugello Basin held for Florence. The Medici family, which originally came from this area, and the Lorenesi family made it their pride and joy by investing financial resources to strengthen their presence around Florence.

Important buildings and fortresses, castles, villas and palaces remain to testify the development of the Mugello.
Moreover, even the cultural and artistic history of Florence finds elements of primacy importance for its development in this area.

Artists like Giotto and Beato Angelico were born here, famous architects worked at the construction of the towns of the "walled lands", the features in the landscape of many Florentine paintings have found their inspiration here.