Wellness and nature
The journey between Montalbano and Valdinievole is a journey that smells of enchantment: from the mists of the past (the name seems to derive from the valley of the mists or clouds) a medieval knight could suddenly appear, fleeing from the Fucecchio Marshes towards the hill, or a shrewd messenger, carrying a letter from Florence or Lucca. Thus from the hill, through San Baronto, a pilgrim could be glimpsed, recalled to the Via Francigena and the Sanctuary where the miracle of spring water took place. Valdinievole is a middle ground, full of charms and landscapes, which have remained unchanged over the centuries. An enchanted land even in the bright sun that kisses the area, reclaimed over time and open to hospitality with its history, its castles, spas and paths all to be known.
The starting point: Larciano
From Larciano, a circular route that touches San Baronto (road and paths) is suggested for those who love hiking;
for Monsummano and Serravalle, road from Larciano to the north, crossing Castelmartini and Cintolese.
How to get:
From the A11 Firenze Mare (Montecatini exit) – SS. 435; from Empoli: SS. 435; from Pistoia, through San Baronto and Lamporecchio from Cecina, through Biccimurri.
Recommended activities:
trekking, excursions, photography, spas.
Not to be missed
Larciano: Carnival party (February); Cocomerata in the square, July; Cinema under the stars, July and August; Village fair, September. Castelmartini: Marsh herb festival, April; Cherry Festival, June.
Loc. Port of the Morette: Hunter’s snack, May.
Loc. Column: Festival of the donut, late May and early June; Beer festival, July and August; Hunter’s Day, August; Volunteer Festival, August.
Larciano Castello: Food and wine tour, June.
Loc. Chickpeas flour pie: Feast of the Madonna del Buonconsiglio, September; Festival of the schiacciata with grapes, September; Castagnata, October.
San Baronto: Fierucola, May 1st; Art at the fair – Typical market, Saturday and Sunday in conjunction with the penultimate Sunday of August; San Baronto at the table, last Saturday in August.
Monsummano: Cioccolosità, last weekend of January; Piazza in fiore, second Sunday in April; Spring concert season, April / May; Spring visits to city museums, last two Sundays in May; Cinema and theater under the stars, from the third Wednesday in June to the first Saturday in September; The nights of archeology, first week of July; Medieval Festival (in Montevettolini), second weekend of September; Castles and fortifications, last weekend of September; Arti & Piazza, first Sunday in October; Harvest festival (Caiano farm), second Sunday in October; Autumn concert season, October / November; Giuseppe Giusti Literary Prize, last Saturday in November; Art exhibition, in even years from November to March; Piazza in festa, second Sunday in December.
Serravalle: Organ music concerts in the winter season; Stralunando in Rocca, first Sunday in June; Demonstration of the CGIL trade union, June; Poetry in music, July and August; Opera concerts, early August; Patronal celebrations of San Lodovico, from early August to 19 August; Serravalle Jazz, end of August; Percorrenze, contemporary art in September; Castles and fortifications, guided tours in the village of Serravalle, last days of September; Walk on Montalbano.
Things to see
Larciano (Church of San Rocco, Church of San Silvestro, Oratory of the company of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rocca, Civic Museum), Cecina (fortification, Church of San Niccol?), Castelmartini (Church of San Donnino, Garden of Memory), Monsummano (Terme Grotta Giusti, Terme Grotta Parlanti, Church of San Niccolao, Piazza Giusti, Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Fontenuova, Museum of Sacred Art, Oratory of San Carlo, Osteria dei Pellegrini, Museum of the city and of the territory, Villa Renatico Martini, Museum of Contemporary Art and the Twentieth Century, Palazzo Giusti, Fattoria delle Case), Montevettolini (vestige of the castle, Palazzo Comunale, Villa Medicea, Church of San Michele Arcangelo and San Lorenzo Martire), Serravalle, (Church of San Michele, Church of Santo Stefano, Oratory of Saints Rocco and Sebastiano, Rocca Vecchia, Church of Saints Marcello and Lucia in Vinacciano, Palazzo Cancellieri di Vinacciano, Villa Gargani or Il Cassero, Villa De Rossi, Palazzo del Podest ?, Villa di Lanciol and, Villa Montegattoli). For further information on the monuments and historical sites of Serravalle, see the Blue Route.
