Florence is divided into five districts: District 1, including the historic centre; District 2, or Campo di Marte (north-east); District 3, or Gavinana Galluzzo (south-east); District 4, or Isolotto and Legnaia (west); and District 5, or Rifredi (north-west).

District 5 is the widest district of Florence

Unlike what you may think, its origins are lost in antiquity; indeed in the 19th century traces of a Roman settlement were found along the river Terzolle. Starting from the 14th century the most prestigious Florentine families chose to build their country villas in Rifredi and in the surrounding areas.

Here stands the Medicean villa of Careggi, which the influential Florentine family bought after those of Cafaggiolo and Trebbio (see the chapter of this tourist guide dedicated to the Medicean villas). Or the Medicean villa of Castello, whose famous gardens are second in beauty only to those of Boboli, which is also renowned for the "Grotta degli animali", the first example of artificial grotto.

Some years ago several faculties of the University of Florence which were situated in the city centre moved to District 5 and the students who have decided to rent an apartment in this part of Florence make Rifredi a lively district the whole year round.