Villa di Montevettolini

Also called Monte Veturino, the villa was built after 1595 on commission of Grand Duke Ferdinand I of Tuscany.

The architect was Gherardo Mechini, a pupil of Bernardo Buontalenti.

He included some pre-existing structures from the medieval borough, such as a fortress and a stretch of walls, in the villa construction.

The result was a villa with a severe and compact appearance and polygonal plan, which resembled a defensive fortress more than a patrician residence.

In 1871 it was acquired by prince Marcantonio Borghese, who was also owner of the Villa Medici di Cafaggiolo.