Cavallina: Archive, Villa Torre Palagio and Lago di Bilancino

Cavallina can be explored through specific historical sites and its surrounding landscape. The Archivio Storico Preunitario of the municipality of Barberino di Mugello is located at Via del Torracchione 4 in Cavallina. Also in Cavallina, at Via del Torracchione 8, stands Villa Torre Palagio. For you, this combination provides access to local history, literature and landscape without mixing the different themes together.

Archive and historical documents

The archive, created before the unification of Italy, comprises 2,380 archival units dating from 1562 to 1903. Every year, the municipality of Barberino's Culture and Sports Office enables the archive's materials to be consulted for study and research purposes. Cavallina thus offers a clearly defined cultural and historical point of reference for travellers who would also like to explore the region's past during a trip to Italy. The collection spans several centuries and connects the history of the municipality with a specific address in the town.

Villa Torre Palagio and literary traces

From 1457 to 1466, Villa Torre Palagio was a meeting place for writers and learned humanists. The writers and learned humanists included Luigi Pulci, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Mariotto Davanzati and Bernardo Gianbullari. The love songs and poems La Nencia da Barberino and La Beca da Dicomano were also written at the villa. Those interested in Italian literature will find two specific points of access here: the historical gatherings at the villa and the works associated with it.

Park, peninsula and Lago di Bilancino

The landscape around Villa Torre Palagio is also defined by several precise features. The park was redesigned in 1800 by the French architect Cambray-Digny. The villa stands on a peninsula and is completely surrounded by Lago di Bilancino. A distinctive terrace staircase in the park leads to the lower park level beside the water. From there, Lago di Bilancino can be seen. This combination of park design, changes in elevation and lakeside setting makes the site interesting for visitors who wish to consider architecture and landscape together.

Route and regional landscape

The Mugello mediceo route begins in Cavallina at an altitude of 260 metres. Castello di Calenzano, a castle, is located in the surrounding area. Poggio Mezzana, a peak, as well as Monte Gazzaro and Monte Bucciana, both mountains, are also nearby. In the wider region around Cavallina are Palazzo Pretorio, Palazzo Banci Buonamici and Fiorelli Palace, all palaces. Monte Coroncina, a mountain, is also located there. For your orientation, the landscape therefore extends from a route and individual peaks to mountains, a castle and historic palaces in the wider surrounding area.

Further orientation

If you would like to continue planning your trip beyond Cavallina, you can also discover Latera.

For the higher-level travel overview: Barberino Di Mugello.