The Medici Route
Between history and legend, a suggestive walk in the places of the Medici
The Medici Route is a 78,3 km path, of medium difficulty, achievable in 4 or more days. The route, which can be identified thanks to the specific signs, develops mainly on local roads and CAI paths. The beginning is set at the Medici Cascine of Prato, the arrival is in Fucecchio, after having crossed the territories where the Medici family lived, hunted and delighted, shaping wonderful landscapes, represented also by Leonardo da Vinci in his paintings. Along the way there are three Medici Villas, today recognized as Unesco World Heritage sites, but also historic villages, ridges and valleys, natural parks, archaeological sites and numerous historical and artistic sites. The Medici Route is also a strategic link between the Route of Wool and Silk and the Via Francigena, allowing the walker to join the Padan and Northern European spaces with the spirituality of the Eternal City.
Proposed stages:
1st MEDICI CASCINE OF PRATO - ARTIMINO
19,2 Km; difference in height 635 m; 5. 40 hours
Medici signs: Medici Cascine of Prato, Barco (hunting reserve) in Bonistallo, Medici Villa in Poggio a Caiano, Still Life Museum, Church of San Francesco in Bonistallo, the Medicean channels, il Ragnaione grove
Connection with the Route of Wool and Silk
2nd ARTIMINO - BACCHERETO
22,1 Km; difference in height 790 m; 6.15 hours
Medici signs: Medici Villa La Ferdinanda in Artimino, Medicean Barco (hunting reserve)
3rd BACCHERETO - VINCI
18 Km; difference in height 540 m;6.40 hours
Medici signs: wall of the Medicean Barco (hunting reserve)
4th VINCI - FUCECCHIO
16,7 Km; difference in height 180 m; 4.10 hours
Medici signs: Medici Villa in Cerreto Guidi
Connection with the Via Francigena
LA MAGIA RING
15 km; 4.30 hours
Medici signs: Medici Villa La Magia
CAPRAIA AND MONTELUPO RING
14 km; 3 h
Medici signs: Ambrogiana Medici Villa
Total length: 78,3 km
Overall positive altitude difference: 2.145 m
Difficulty: medium-low
Overall duration: 4 days
Stops 4, 2 rings, Municipalities 9, Provinces 3
Medici Villas Unesco Heritage sites: 4
TOURIST GUIDE AND EXCURSION MAP
The hiking map of the route in a scale of 1:25,000, combined with the guide with all the information useful to the walker, can be purchased online and in the bookshops indicated on the website:
http://www.viamedicea.it/en/maps/
Via Medicea Track (120.3 KB)
BROCHURE VIA MEDICEA (270.5 KB)
Medici Route brochure (8.2 MB)
