Villa Demidoff is the modern name of what remains of the Medici Villa of Pratolino, whose construction began in the 16th century. The villa, located in the town of Pratolino, in a rugged area at the foot of the Apennines, half an hour from Florence, was designed by Bernardo Buontalenti for Francesco I de’ Medici, the future Grand Duke of Tuscany. 

Built to rival Villa d’Este, Villa Pratolino was meant to represent the utmost princely luxury and the park surrounding it was to be no less magnificent, with water fountains and grottoes, exquisite plants and flowers. Unfortunately, when Francesco I and his second wife Bianca, for whom the grand duke had built the property, died, the villa and park were abandoned and fell into disuse.