Fiesole has very ancient origins, since its foundation is dated in the Hellenistic age (end of IV - beginning of III century BC), witnessed by the wide archaeological area with the remains of the Etruscan walls and temple, the baths, the Roman theatre and the Civic Museum, where many findings from the excavations have been collected.

The geographic position of this town made it a strategic point for the control over the communication ways between Southern Etruria and the part of Etruria around the river Po. It was also a stronghold against the Barbarians' invasions from the North, especially those of the Gaul, which turned the town into the stage fro many battles and wars, fought to gain its control.

Since always Fiesole has been loved by famous literates, such as Giovanni Boccaccio who, in its works, describes the hill of Fiesole as the ideal setting for imaginary mythological tales.
Fiesole has been celebrated by Poliziano, visited many times by Lorenzo il Magnifico and by Pico della Mirandola, and during the Renaissance it became the favourite destination for the holidays of Florence's richest families, such as the Albizi, Medici, Salviati, Rondinelli - Vitelli joined later by foreign families too, especially English, who wanted to enjoy this private and dramatic environment.
The Villa Fiesole Hotel, as many other villas which can be found at the foothill, is a sign of all this splendour.