The town of ceramics, the workshop and the kiln of Renaissance Florence, Montelupo Fiorentino is a town rich in its testimony to history and humanity. Here the visitor can sense the distinctiveness of a centuries-old artistic tradition that is still alive and fresh.

After visiting the Museum of ceramics, among the most important in all of Italy, you can wander in search of preserved memories of the past, such as the 14th Century city walls in via Giro delle Mura, ancient wells and kiln excavations, the Priory of San Lorenzo, which is situated on the hill where Montelupo was founded in the early Middle Ages, and the many villas and small churches scattered throughout the villages nearby.

Montelupo was the birthplace of Bartolomeo di Giovanni dei Sinibaldi, sculptor and architect, known as Baccio da Montelupo, who was born in 1469 and who studied at the famous academy founded by Lorenzo the Magnificent.

See the Montelupo fiorentino town map (click to enlarge)

HIGHLIGHTS
Prioria di S.Giovanni evangelista
Built around 1326 and completely restored in 1796, it shows the architectural lightness of late 18th century. It houses important works of art, particularly a painting on wood representing the Madonna with Child and Saints by the Botticelli School.

Oratorio dello Spirito Santo
Founded in the ancient times. Its inside is embellished by white stucco para-stades and high-backed wooden chairs of the 18th century.

Museo Archeologico e della Ceramica
It houses an extremely interesting collection consisting of two thematic divisions: the archaeology of the territory and the history of ceramics in Montelupo. The archaeological section records more than twenty years of excavations and research that led to the formation, in Montelupo, of one of the mo-
st important collections of Prehistory in Tuscany. The historical section documents ceramics production in Montelupo from its origins (late 13th Century) to the Modern Age ( information).

Torri e Mura Trecentesche
The town was fortified from 1333 to 1336. You can see some remains of the city walls, of the towers and the smallest gate, called Porta della Nave di Capraia.

Villa dell'Ambrogiana
At the" end of the' loth "Century, grand-duke Ferdinando I requested that this villa be built on the left bank of the Arno river. Together with the villas of Poggio a Caiano and Artimino, it is one of the places that the Medici chose for their delights, especially hunting and relaxation. It is now the site of a prison/asylum, the "Ospedale Psichiatrico Giudi-ziario".

Prioria di San Lorenzo
It was built during the 13th century on the ruins of a previous fortress. It houses, near the choir, two frescoes by Corso di Buono dating back to 1284.

Villa ROMANA di Pulica
At Pulica. Excavations in the farm called Virgilio brought to light important roman remains of a countryside villa dating back to 80-60 B.C. The remains can be seen from the outside. For guided visits apply to the Museum of Ceramics' offices.

EVENTS NOT TO MISS IN MONTELUPO FIORENTINO
International Festival of Ceramics. A week completely dedicated to ceramics, with personal exhibitions of craftsmen, workshops, performances and shows which animate the streets of the town. Third week of lune.

Markets and fairs.
On the 3rd Sunday of every month, ceramics and handicrafts markets are held in the streets of town centre (in winter they are held at the Exposition center).

To visit is the Church of San Lorenzo 13th century.

The ceramics of Montelupo
In the ancient times, Montelupo was an important cross-roads connecting the Florentine area, the Apennine Mountain region, and the Tyrrhenian coast. Its central location led to the development of numerous manufacturing activities, among which ceramics is still the most important. The art of making and decorating ceramics has been handed down from father to son ever since the 14th Century. During the 15th and 16th Centuries, the production of ceramics in Montelupo reached its greatest splendour, marked by the refined expression of the Florentine Renaissance and the creative originality of the "harlequins" (typical decorative figures of Montelupo). Since that time, the ceramics of Montelupo have been exported all over the world.

The workshops produce artistic ornamental and decorative ceramics for the home, among which exist many different types: majolicas and terracottas, objects for daily use, unique single works, big jugs for the garden and tiled wall-hangings. Quality is the distinctive feature you will find in every factory and shop in the area.
Ceramics objects produced according to Montelupo tradition. decorations for the home terracotta products for the home and garden.

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