Among the many historical architectures rises Villa Demidoff, an estate bought at the end of the 1500’s by the Medici family and entrusted to Buontalenti for the construction of the villa, as the residence of Bianca Cappello. During the years it was left abandoned, was later destroyed by Granduca Ferdinando III of the Lorena and rebuilt. In 1872 it was bought and restructured by the Russian Prince Paolo Demidoff, whence the name.

The villa, in the municipality of Vaglia, has a fascinating park enlivened by water games, sculptures and caves hidden in the green ravines. The Parco di Pratolino, the name of the area adjacent to the estate, hosts the Statua dell'Appennino: the work built and designed by Giambologna, the mannerist sculptor of Flemish origin who lived at the Medici’s court and created may works such as the "Ratto delle Sabine" and "Fontana dell'Oceano" and the "Venere della grotticella", the latter kept at the Boboli Gardens, in Florence. The statue, made around 1580, represents a huge mythical figure guarding the park.

And just like in 18th century parks in Austrian castles, there are peculiar water games. Hence the "Grotta di Cupido" or the "Viale degli Zampilli", around three hundred meters long. The latter is made up of basins alternating with benches, and through a device, water jets come out of the basins and create the effect of an arch of sprays. And then also the "Gamberane" and the "Grotta del Mugnone", dedicated to the river Mugnone which runs beneath the park.

Currently Villa Demidoff, managed by the Province administration, can be visited on holidays, the tickets costs 2.5 euros and allows you to enter Parco di Pratolino as well as to access the theatre, music and dance shows organised inside the Villa.

Province of Florence - Villa Demidoff (In Italian)
Mugello Mountain Community (In Italian)
Vaglia  Municipality (In Italian)