Mugello

For the motor racing track, seeMugello Circuit.

Mugello withinMetropolitan Florence

Countryside near Galliano di Mugello

TheMugellois a historic region andvalleyin northernTuscany,in Italy, corresponding to the course of theRiver Sieve.It is located to the north of the city ofFlorenceand includes the northernmost portion of theMetropolitan City of Florence.TheFuta Passconnects the Mugello valley to the separateSanterno rivervalley.

History

The Mugello valley was settled by aLiguriantribe known as the Magelli, hence the name. Then the region was occupied by theEtruscanswho left many archaeological traces and who built the first road network of the Mugello.

The subsequentAncient Romanconquest and colonization of the Mugello region dates back to the 4th century BCE. It is not only testified by several finds such as tombs, coins, and walls, but also, through toponymy, e.g. names of places ending with the praedial suffix-ano(Latin-anus) or-ana:Cerliano, Figliano, Marcoiano, Galliano, Lucignano, etc.

A Mugello road lined with cypress trees

In theMiddle Agesthe Mugello was home to numerouscastles.The Mugello region was later acquired by theRepublic of Florence.Several patrician families of the area builtvillashere, such as those of theMediciincludingVilla Medicea di CafaggioloandVilla Medicea del Trebbio.

Dam across the Sieve at Lake Bilancino

In 1999 adamwas constructed across theSieve river,forming the reservoir ofLake Bilancinoin the Mugello valley.

In popular culture

The Mugello gives its name to theMugello Circuit(Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello), an automobile race track that hosts an annualMoto GPevent, and to theMugellese chicken,abantambreed.

Towns

• Borgo San Lorenzo
• Scarperia
• Barberino di Mugello
• San Piero a Sieve
• Vicchio
• Dicomano
• San Godenzo
• Palazzuolo sul Senio

See also

• Firenzuola