THE HISTORY

Mugello was once an area dominated by important Etruscan developments later becomes, in Roman times, the site of numerous colonies and hamlets. Later the Guidi and Ubaldini families, the medieval Lords of the territory, come into conflict with the city of Florence, which was expanding and searching for “new lands”. The Mugello basin was an extremely important strategic and economic asset for Florence and a source of pride for the Medici, whose origins lay here, and the Lorena families. Numerous important structures and fortresses, castles, villas, and palaces still bear witness to this important period of growth in Mugello. Artists such as Giotto and Beato Angelico were born here; important architects worked on the construction of the hamlets in the “walled lands”; and moreover, the Mugello landscape has provided inspiration for numerous Florentine paintings.

THE LAND

The territory of the Unione Montana unites two geographic areas: the Mugello valley, situated in the upper middle part of the hydrographical basin of the Sieve River, where we find the towns of San Piero a Sieve, Barberino di Mugello, Scarperia, Borgo San Lorenzo, Vicchio, Dicomano and San Godenzo; on the north side, among the towering peaks of Mugello, in the upper part of the Santerno, Senio and Lamone basins, you find Upper Mugello with such centres as Firenzuola, Palazzuolo sul Senio and Marradi.

THE GASTRONOMY

The dishes that have been passed down in Mugello from the gastronomic tradition of the past are all important, typical recipes with “natural” flavours, made with traditional wholesome ingredients: “tortelli di patate” (small pockets of pasta stuffed with potatoes), steaks, “coniglio ripieno” (stuffed rabbit), boiled duck, “fagioli all’olio” (beans with extra virgin olive oil dressing), fried vegetables and the “budino” (pudding) made with the delicious “Marrone del Mugello”, the I.G.P. denominated Mugello chestnut.