Borgo al Poggiolino, in Florence, is a small group of old tuscan buildings that have been recently restored.
It is surrounded by a large park dominated by olive trees, roses, cypresses and aromatic plants. In a quiet and peaceful area, and within a short distance from the historic centre of Florence, Borgo al Poggiolino is located on Via Bolognese, an historic florentine road. A brief history of Borgo al Poggiolino follows here...
A milestone marked the first mile of the road from Porta di San Gallo (today this square is called Piazza della Libertà). Porta di San Gallo was the old entrance to medieval Florence. Around that milestone, a small village called La Pietra, developed, where Sir Harold Acton built his magnificent Villa La Pietra.
Via Bolognese was the main road that pilgrims from Bologna used to arrive in Florence. As a result, the road saw the emergence of numerous hospices, although a large number of villas were built too as a result of the loveable weather.
Borgo al Poggiolino is located where the old fortified entrance to Villa la Loggia was placed. This Villa was Brunetto Latini's (Dante Alighieri's tutor) main home. The Villa was then owned by the Pazzi Family. The family itself lost the property as the conspiracy against Lorenzo and Giuliano dei Medici failed. Villa la Loggia became then one of the Medici's Family Villas.
Within a few yards from Borgo al Poggiolino, the European University, the New York University (in Villa la Pietra) and the University of Paris (in Villa Finnaly) can be found. Furthermore, guests who would have the necessity to visit Careggi and Meyer Hospitals, would be able to find in Borgo al Poggiolino a place for rest, relax, privacy and tranquillity.