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Barberino
di Mugello
  • Districts
Bilancino
Cavallina
Cornocchio
Galliano
Latera
Mangona
Maschere
Montecarelli
Montecuccoli
Ponte sull'Aglio
Santa Lucia Ostale
  • At a glance

Situated at 268m above sea level, in the valley of the River Stura, a tributary of the River Sieve, the village of Barberino covers 133.82km2 and currently has a population of 9,121. Distance in kilometers: from Rome = 308; from Milano = 273; from Bologna = 79; from Florence = 34
Closest airports: Florence / Bologna

  • Useful contact numbers
Emergency Doctor : Tel. 0558495959
Public Assistance : Tel. 055841088-0558428289
Public Auto Recovery : Tel. 0558416767
A.C.I. Private Auto Recovery : Tel. 0558417696
Carabinieri (Military / Civil Police): Tel. 055841004
Police: Tel. 055841010
Theatre : Tel. 055841237
Public Library : Tel. 0558416604
Laghi Bella Valle Cavallina : Tel. 0558420139
Local Council : Tel. 05584771
  • Local Events
The local market is held every Saturday morning.
  • Places of Interest
Castello di Barberino : This castle was constructed in the 11th century for the Cattani di Cambiate family. It would appear that the name of the village is derived from that family’s coat-of-arms, as it depicts a human head with three beards (or ‘barbe’). Through an act of deception, in 1351, the castle came to be controlled by the archbishop of Milan, Giovanni Visconti , but was destroyed the following year by those loyal to the Republic of Florence, and then raided by the Pisans in 1364. It was rebuilt in the 17th century by the descendents of the Cattani family, and is today a private residence that can be visited only with difficulty. In any case, none of the original elements of the castle remain.

Palazzo Pretorio (previously known as Palazzo del Podestà): This building was originally constructed in the 13th century, and has been restored on several occasions since the 18th century. It retains its imposing structure, and, indeed, along with the 16th century doorway, a number of different mayoral coats-of-arms are still visible on the beautiful façade.

Logge Medicee : Located opposite the Palazzo Pretorio, these residences were constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries for the de’ Medici family. They were designed by Michelozzo and were intended as an annex to the local market that was held on the other side of the square.

Badia di S. Maria a Vigesimo : Built on the request of St. Giovanni Gualberto in the 11th century, this abbey was subject to numerous additions and restorations, particularly between the 17th and 18th centuries. Adjoining the abbey are a convent and a presbytery, both cdating from the 12th century.

Pieve di San Silvestro : This parish church was erected in 1641, and then restored and enlarged between 1812 and 1822. There is a wonderful portico on the opposite side to the Neoclassical entranceway. Inside, there is a number of valuable frescoes, and a 15th-century crucifix that was eventually attached to an 17th-century fresco depicting Two Holy Women.

Chiesa di S. Maria a Cafaggiolo : This church was built on the request of the Borghese family. The interior features a striking crucifix dating from the 18th century and a beautiful representation of the Virgin with Child from the 17th century.

Villa di Cafaggiolo : Constructed as a castle in the 12th-century, it was subsequently purchased and transformed by Michelozzo at the behest of Cosimo de’ Medici. During the Renaissance, it was visited by such illustrious artists as Poliziano, Lorenzo il Magnifico and Pico della Mirandola. In 1864, ownership passed to the Borghese family, who altered the structure to make it more suitable for use as a country house. Inside the villa, which is currently owned by a company that uses it for hosting important receptions, there are several frescoes and a marble vase dating from the 16th century. Visits can be made to the parkland and to certain rooms in the villa itself by advance booking on 055/8458793.

Villa delle Maschere : Built at the end of the 16th century, at the behest of the Bettini family, this villa was purchased in 1611 by the Gerini family, who remain to this day the owners. It was at one time the most renowned villa in the area, and played host to pontifs and royalty. The name derives from the twenty-two theatrical masks that adorn the rear façade of the building.

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