Villa Medici at Careggi

Cosimo actually died here, at Villa Medici at Careggi, which is located in the hills outside Florence.  Patrician families maintained their villas in the countryside for several purposes.  Perhaps the most important function was to keep the family supplied with olive oil, wine, fresh fruit and vegetables, poultry and game.   Hunting was a sport that also produced meat for the table.  Medici children and their caretakers (wet-nurses, servants, tutors) were often raised primarily at the country villas, as the country air was believed to be more healthful.  Most likely Contessina was tasked with directing the daily flow of goods and services between the palazzo in the city of Florence and the country villas.