"The villa dates back to the 14th century but it gained prestige only when the Medici Family bought it in 1477.  The villa reached the height of its splendor with Cosimo I dei Medici, Florence's new Duke, who turned it into a magnificent residence to celebrate the greatness of the Medici family. He ordered Giorgio Vasari to restore the villa and Niccolò Tribolo to project the Italian garden."  Source: VisitFlorence.com.

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