In Mugello 2022 PDF

Mugello
A Land of History and Art
Paleolithic Roots, A Medieval Heart and
Calling Card to the Powerful Medici Family
Mugello’s origins are ancient. Traces of
its first human inhabitants go back to the
Paleolithic whereas the name “Mugello”
comes from the Ligurian Magellan tribe,
the word found in documents dating back
to 4 B.C. These nomads were followed by
the Etruscans whose archeological remains
can be still found throughout the valley
today; the archeological sites at Poggio
Colla, Vicchio and Frascole, Dicomano.
Thanks to the Etruscans the first roads of
communication were built such as the road
from Fiesole to Bologna. After the Romans
conquered the valley, it took on a secondary
role in the Imperial Era due to its topography;
considered neither adapt for commerce nor
for the extensive type of agriculture practiced
at the time. After the fall of the Roman
Empire around 476 A.D., Florence and
Mugello fell under the power of the barbaric
Lombards. This dark period changed in 801
A.D. when Charlemagne conferred the title
of “Lords of the joyous town of Mugello” on
the Ubaldini Dukes. As the noble Ubaldini,
Alberti and Conti Guidi families came to
dominate the valley, Mugello gained power
also thanks to the building of strategic forts.
This period spanning from the mid 1200’s
to the beginning of the 1300’s is of great
importance for Mugello. After Florence’s
rise to power and its conquest of Mugello, it
became the center of commerce of Northern
central Italy and three important towns were
founded. The first two, built for strategic
reasons during the century long war against
the Ubaldini, are the Castle of Saint Barnabas,
today Scarperia, and the Fort of Firenzuola.
Both Florence’s allies, as well as their
enemies, moved to these towns after having
been exempted partially or completely from
paying taxes for ten years. So this is why
the Ubaldini’s allies, bewitched by these
promises, deserted them causing the decline
and demise of this ancient feudal family.
The Medici family also has its origins in
Mugello. Legend has it that one of their
ancestors was a coal merchant who had a
child that became a doctor. Another legend
has it that, at the time of Charlemagne, there
raged a giant by the name of Mugello who
was challenged and killed by the courageous
knight Averardo dei Medici. Before he died,
he threw his club from which hung five
iron balls against Averardo, imprinting his
shield with the five balls that make up the
Medici crest. These however are all legends.
Businessmen, rich bankers, but also men of
culture, lovers of the arts and literature,
the Medici desired to make Mugello their
personal calling card, a tangible sign of
their political power. Here where the artistic
geniuses Giotto and Cimabue were born still
exist important testimonies of the Medici’s
influence. The Castle of Cafaggiolo and the
Castle of Trebbio, both splendid Medici
homes, are UNESCO Heritage Sites.
7