La Villa dell'Ambrogiana

The Villa dell'Ambrogiana, located at the confluence of the Arno and Pesa rivers, has always been a strategic point of control of the territory.

At least since the 14th century, when it belonged to the Frescobaldi family, until its purchase by the Medici and beyond, the river determined the key position of the settlement.

The villa was at the centre of a network in order to manage and exploit the surrounding territory. The abundant spring waters in the area fed the villa itself, the surrounding farms and the brick kilns. These factors attracted numerous purchasers over time.

The position of the villa was also strategic for hunting, as hunting grounds were located nearby: and this was one of the factors that prompted Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici to purchase the complex in 1574, transforming it into a villa.

With her study Francesca Funis explores how these elements conditioned the villa, determining its position, court structure, architecture and interventions over time. This approach shows how the Medici villas, apparently similar in terms of construction history, uses and functions, are in reality unique buildings, deeply connected to their territorial context.

A documentary apparatus accompanies the lavishly illustrated volume.