Villa Vai al Mulinaccio is immersed in an enchanting atmosphere in a place full of history and charm. It was built by Cosimo Sassetti between the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century, and then passed into the hands of the illustrious Strozzi and Vai families, who transformed it into a vast estate of thirty-six farms.

This residence of the renowned scholar and navigator Filippo Sassetti (1540-1588), is an important stop in the circuit of the Houses of Memory, where traces of the past are intertwined with culture and beauty.

The architectural complex develops around a suggestive courtyard, which frames the villa and the annexes with timeless elegance. Over the years, the main part has undergone changes, today offering splendid wooden ceilings and frescoes that tell centuries-old stories. Among the annexes, the farm stands out, which still preserves the ancient kitchen, affectionately called the "cucinone" (big kitchen), with an imposing fifteenth-century fireplace supported by sturdy stone shelves.

Crossing the entrance gate, you immerse yourself in the magnificent walled garden, created in the first half of the 18th century. This Italian garden is a true delight for the eyes, with its elegant hemicycle-shaped nymphaeum and three niches adorned with mosaics and mother-of-pearl, and enriched with splendid terracotta vases.

In the western part of the complex stands the oratory dedicated to Sant'Antonio Abate. Built around 1722, it is a sublime example of Prato baroque style, with stucco decorations and fake marble. Inside, there are eighteenth-century statues and on the altar stands a magnificent painting commissioned to Antonio Marini in 1845 by Giuseppe Vai.

Today, Villa Vai al Mulinaccio takes on new splendors, hosting a small orchard of ancient fruits, a true treasure chest of plant biodiversity, and a herbarium also designed for the blind. Along the route of the Park, immersed in the enchanting Protected Area of Monteferrato, you will come across wonderful hedges of perennial flowers and an educational vegetable garden, which helps to educate respect for nature.

Villa Vai al Mulinaccio is publicly owned, can be visited during events and its use is regulated by the municipality of Vaiano.