Discover Cerreto Guidi: Villa Medicea, Trails and Olive Oil

A place for trails, history and enjoyment

Cerreto Guidi combines history, remembrance, trails and regional culinary delights. This special mix is created by active pursuits, historic sites and culinary impressions.

Circular walking trails and cycling

The Anelli Medicei comprise six signposted circular walking trails. They begin at the Villa Medicea and lead back to the historic town centre. This means the routes combine exercise and a visit to the town in one clearly defined itinerary. The fourth stage of the Via Medicea also leads to Cerreto Guidi. Along this stage are the Villa Medicea di Cerreto Guidi and the Museo della Memoria Locale – MuMeLoc as places of interest. A cycle path also runs through the municipal area between the districts of Bassa and Gavena, making it possible to experience the area's nature and beautiful landscapes.

Villa Medicea and historic collections

The Villa Medicea di Cerreto Guidi was built at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici as a hunting residence and strategic control point for the surrounding area, particularly with a view of the Padule di Fucecchio. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany”. The first floor of the villa houses the Museo Storico della Caccia e del Territorio. It mainly contains hunting weapons and firearms from the 17th to the 19th century. Next to the Medici villa stands the parish church of San Leonardo, whose history dates back to the 10th century.

Art, remembrance and the Renaissance

The MuMeLoc is dedicated in particular to commemorating the massacre in the Padule di Fucecchio on 23 August 1944. At the same time, the museum is temporarily closed to the public. The Oratorio della Santissima Trinità dates from 1607, features 18th-century frescoes and houses an altarpiece created in 1587 by Domenico Cresti (Il Passignano). The Santuario di Santa Liberata probably dates from 1336 and, according to tradition, is associated with an oratory dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Palio and the Tuscan landscape

The Palio del Cerro is a historic re-enactment in Renaissance costumes that has been held for over 50 years. It takes place on the first Saturday in September in front of the Villa Medicea. Cerreto Guidi lies in a landscape characterised by gentle hills, dominated by traditional vineyards and olive groves. The town is part of the Strada dell’Olio, del Vino e dei Sapori, where you can taste extra virgin olive oil that is still produced using traditional methods today.

When choosing your holiday apartment in Cerreto Guidi, you can therefore start with the mix you want: the Anelli Medicei and the cycle path are shaped by active pursuits, the villa and churches by culture, and the Strada dell’Olio, del Vino e dei Sapori by regional products. This allows you to plan your stay according to different interests without reducing Cerreto Guidi to just one type of experience.

You can also discover Stabbia and Poggioni as further destinations. Your travel plans can also include Bassa, Vinci, Marcoiano, Londa, Vicchio and Greve In Chianti.

For the overarching travel overview: Florence.