The Medici villa of Poggio a Caiano was commissioned by Lorenzo the Magnificent and built to a plan by Giuliano da Sangallo on the slopes of Mount Albano, in a beautiful and strategic location, inside a vast rural estate located between Florence, Prato and Pistoia. Declared UNESCO World Heritage in 2013, the villa is open on all sides to the garden and the surrounding landscape, reflecting humanistic trends inspired by the ancient architecture. The main hall, dedicated to Pope Leo X, is beautifully decorated with allegorical frescoes, celebrating the Medici family, painted by Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo, Franciabigio, and Alessandro Allori. The marvellous theatre on the ground floor is still used today for small events like concerts or cultural events. During the period in which Florence was the Italian Capital, King Vittorio Emanuele loved staying at this villa as did Napoleon’s sister, Elisa, during the early 19th century, who was staying here during the summer. Since June 2007, the second floor of the villa hosts the Museum of Still Life: some two hundred paintings on display are from the Medici’s collections.