Experiencing nature in an educational and engaging way is now possible in Figline e Incisa Valdarno, where the Palagina estate—part of the Florentine group Human Company—has inaugurated its new “borgo agricolo”: an agri-campsite nestled among vineyards, olive groves, and woodland. This new addition enhances an already rich offering that includes a 15th-century villa, an agriturismo (the “cascina”), three apartments (the Belvedere farmhouse, the orchard house, and Villa Margherita), a honey room, and a teaching farm.
The agricultural hamlet is a unique concept in the Tuscan landscape, featuring 12 mobile homes made by Crippaconcept, based on the Emotion model but customized specifically for this project. Each mobile home is themed externally to pay tribute to a traditional rural craft—from blacksmiths to vegetable growers and beekeepers—inviting guests to rediscover the slow rhythm of country life. Tools and implements from the Museum of Rural Life in Gaville transform each unit into a tangible narrative of the traditions and skills that have shaped local history, recreating the life of a small farming community.
“Palagina perfectly embodies open-air hospitality, where sustainability, architecture, and nature come together to create a livable and conscious landscape. The mobile homes designed for Palagina are part of an ecosystem that enhances the landscape, knowledge, and memory, while projecting the territory toward the future,” says Sergio Redaelli, CEO of Crippaconcept.
Another key feature of the project is the opportunity for guests to take part in workshops and educational activities in close contact with nature, guided by local artisans and farmers. These activities include everything from caring for the vegetable garden to learning about bees, and even bottling and labeling wine and olive oil.
The quality of the initiative is underscored by the fact that the agricultural component of the agri-campsite was designed by the University of Florence. The aim is to allow guests to experience their stay in close connection with agricultural life and its products—not merely as spectators, but as active participants. This experiential model enhances the quality of the services offered while also fostering a deeper awareness of the social and environmental values preserved in local farming traditions, ultimately promoting and enriching the territory.
Seasonal events inspired by rural life are scheduled every month, offering guests a continuous program of immersive experiences.
“The agricultural hamlet was born from the idea of bringing simplicity, a connection to the land, and the beauty of artisanal crafts back to the forefront. It’s a special project designed to offer our guests not just a comfortable stay, but an authentic and transformative experience that unites tourism, tradition, and education,” says Giulia Rimini, General Manager of Palagina. “Palagina—and even more so the agricultural hamlet—serves as a meeting point between travelers and the surrounding area, strengthening ties with our land while celebrating its many excellences.”
A truly special place, where Crippaconcept’s mobile homes blend seamlessly into the landscape and offer a zero land-consumption solution that preserves the environment in full respect of the territory.
