Address: Località Artimino- Tel. 055/8718081-8792030
(Carmignano)
How to get there: by car throughway Florence-Pisa-Livorno, exit
Lastra a Signa - by coach COPIT bus as far as Poggio a Caiano CAP
bus from Poggio a Caiano to Carmignano
Commonly called "La Ferdinanda", the villa was
designed by Buontalenti in 1594 as a "hunting lodge"
for Ferdinand I,
since it lay in the vicinity of the vast private hunting reserve
(hundreds of hectares on Monte Albano), set aside by Cosimo I.
The most striking element is the host of chimneys (which has
earned it the name of "Villa of the hundred chimneys")
which, like so many miniature towers, add a note of gaiety to the
austere facade. Actually there are only fourty , and each one
corresponds to a specific room.
The famous series of lunettes by the Flemish painter Giusto Utens
which depict the Medici villas were in the principal room which
is at present primarily used for lectures, conventions and
banquets. The paintings are now on view in the Museum of
"Firenze com 'era" The panorama seen from here is truly
splendid.
