Discover Artimino

Artimino offers several historical themes: the Romanesque layout of the Pieve di San Leonardo, the medieval Borgo di Artimino, the Etruscan necropolis of Prato Rosello and the Medici villa. The archaeological museum complements these themes with seasonal visiting hours. Guided tastings of the estate’s own wines are available by advance reservation.

Church, Borgo and Etruscan History

The Pieve di San Leonardo stands 230 metres above sea level. Its original Romanesque layout probably dates from the second half of the 10th century. This is a probable date range, not an exact year of construction. The church also houses a polychrome terracotta group depicting the Visitation, from the Della Robbia school. Thus, the Pieve offers two distinct points of interest: an architectural period and a specifically named work of art.

The Borgo di Artimino retains its intact medieval layout. An ancient clock tower marks the entrance to the Borgo. The necropolis of Prato Rosello offers a glimpse of a much earlier period: its tombs are built in the form of tumuli, and the necropolis dates from the late 8th to the 6th century BC. Compared with the probable date of the original Pieve layout, this makes the passage of time between Etruscan history and the medieval character of the Borgo clear.

Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda

Villa Medicea La Ferdinanda is also known as the “Villa dei cento camini” (“Villa of a Hundred Chimneys”). The name refers to the many chimneys on the roof, each with a different design. Ferdinando I commissioned the villa as a residence for himself and his guests during the hunting seasons. He entrusted the design to court architect Bernardo Buontalenti; the building was completed between 1596 and 1600.

The dates refer to different milestones: 1596 to 1600 is the construction period, while the villa was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013. This distinguishes the building’s history from its later recognition, without conflating the two dates.

Museum Hours and Visit Planning

The Museo Archeologico di Artimino’s visiting hours vary by season. Before your trip, check which time slot suits your visit:

• From 1 March to 31 October: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 09:30–13:30; Saturdays and Sundays, 09:30–13:30 and 15:00–18:00.
• From 1 November to 28 February: Saturdays and Sundays, 09:30–13:30 and 14:00–16:00.

Opening times can be arranged on request for groups of 15 or more. The museum’s history also includes a dated event: on 26 March 2011, the new Museo Archeologico di Artimino opened in the former wine cellars of the Fattoria di Artimino in the Borgo di Artimino.

Wine Tasting and Choosing a Hotel

Guided tastings of Artimino’s own wines are available by advance reservation. The two activities have different requirements when planning your stay: museum visits depend on the season and day of the week, while wine tastings require advance reservation. If you are looking for a hotel in Artimino, you can take these conditions into account when choosing your travel dates and plan the focus of your stay accordingly.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Carmignano, Vernio, Fornacelle, Cantagallo, Montemurlo, Colle, Vaiano, Prato.

For the broader travel overview: Prato.