Vicchio

Vicchio is a pleasant village just 25 kilometers northeast of Florence. Set in the Mugello Valley amidst olive and vine covered hills that give way to the Apennine Mountains, it enjoys a peaceful and natural setting. It was the "new frontier" of the Florentine Republic when it was established in the Middle Ages.

The village is best known for its famous sons - artists who were born here or lived here. Giotto and Fra Angelico were both born in Vicchio, and the sculptor Cellini passed the last twelve years of his life in the town. There is a museum dedicated to Beato Angelico and the houses of Giotto and Cellini are preserved and open to the public. Vicchio was also an important Partisan stronghold during WWII.

While the village is solidly medieval in its construction, there was an Etruscan presence in this area, as seen at the nearby Archeological Site, Poggio Colla. In town, the Palazzo Pretorio has an arcade on the facade, a tall clock tower, and is adorned with frescoes and Della Robbia-type ceramics. The Ponte alla Ragnaia on the Ensa River is a graceful Medieval stone arched bridge, still in perfect condition. The nearby hamlet Gattaia is a well-kept stone outpost in the hills.

Vicchio throws an historical-based party every August with a costumed parade through the streets. It also hosts the Giotto Jazz Festival every year.