The Casentino valley is surrounded by the charm of the Casentinesi Forests National Park. It is one of the oldest and most magical natural areas in Europe with over 5,000 hectares of woods and thousands of centuries-old trees. The Sasso Fratino Nature Reserve extends into the park with its 764 hectares and is the first integral nature reserve established in Italy in 1959 which became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enchanting with its artistic and cultural beauties, settlements of Etruscan origin, Romanesque churches, medieval villages and castles, millenary sanctuaries and monasteries that will make you go back in time.
Conti Guidi Castle
Foto by Daniele Ragazzini
The medieval village of Poppi stands on top of an hill. The large castle dominates the town and the majority of the Casentino valley. The town, still surrounded by its mighty walls, welcomes visitors with a beautiful harmonic architecture which is worth seeing. Poppi is considered the jewel of this Tuscan valley. As a matter of fact it is no coincidence that it has been included among the most beautiful towns in Italy. The main attraction in Poppi is definitely the Conti Guidi castle. This 13th century building is one of the most visited attractions throughout the Province of Arezzo. Of particular interest is the Rilliana Library inside the castle, which preserves 25,000 ancient volumes. In Poppi there is the Dante’s Column, located at the start of the Campaldino plain which was the scene of the bloody Campaldino battle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines in 1289.
Santa Maria del Sasso Sanctuary
Foto by Adele Bonucci
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Sasso, an important and refined example of Renaissance architecture in the Casentino valley. This toponym is due to the 1347 Virgin Mary appearance on a large stone, still visible today inside the Sanctuary together with precious works of art. Near the sanctuary, there is the Casentino Valley main town: Bibbiena. It is a medieval and renaissance town, it is the city of photography in which the CIFA (Italian Center of Author Photography) and the Archaeological Museum of Casentino headquarters are located. Inside the Archaeological Museum of Casentino you can see all the artifacts found by the Casentino Archaeological Group over time. Numerous trade fairs are organized throughout summer in Bibbiena. The most important one is the re-enactment of the MEA, to commemorate an event that happened in the fourteenth century when a beautiful lady was disputed between a poor boy and a noble.
Porciano Castle
Foto by Carlo Gabrielli
The historical memory regarding Porciano goes back to year 1000, as a matter of fact it is mentioned in a text of the year 1017. It is said that in 1311 the poet Dante Alighieri went for the first time to Porciano to convince the Conti Guidi (who have always been opposed to the Florentine Guelphs) to support the newly crowned emperor Arrigo VII and convince him to take the Ghibelline side. Two famous letters were sent by Dante from Porciano. The first one was written for the Florentine to convince them to subdue to the Emperor. The second one was sent to the Emperor to push him to fight against Florence. The Conti Guidi did not keep their promises and Dante expressed his disdain for traitors in the 14th chapter of the Purgatory (part of the Divine Comedy). This provoked the revenge of the Guidi who imprisoned Alighieri in one of the Torciano castle’s room.
Sacro Eremo di Camaldoli
Foto by Carlo Gabrielli
Camaldoli is a community of Benedictine monks, founded a thousand years ago by San Romualdo. His two houses, the Sacred Hermitage and the Monastery are immersed in the forest and represent two fundamental dimensions of the monastic experience: solitude and communion. The monastic community life focuses on the search of God, the prayer and work and is open to share this with men and women, especially through hospitality. The Foresteria offers a space (accessible to everyone) of spiritual and cultural deepening, of dialogue and encounter.
Pratomagno
Foto by Adele Bonucci
Pratomagno is a ridge that rises in the Casentino valley. The highest peak of the mountain reaches 1592 meters above sea level and is called Croce del Pratomagno. The Croce del Pratomagno is a monument inaugurated on the 2nd of September 1928: it is a large modular iron cross that dominates the entire mountain and is visible even from a great distance. This lawn is so high that you can enjoy incredible views over half of Tuscany. This makes Pratomagno an ideal place for both short walks and challenging itineraries. The sunrises and sunsets here are stunning. Of particular charm are the walks on the meadows during the full moon nights. Pratomagno enlightened by the moonlight is enchanting. The atmosphere is indescribable.
Badia Prataglia
Foto by Carlo Gabrielli
Badia Prataglia is the most ancient village in the National Park and its origins date back to 986. The town was born from the gathering of some houses around the church, the only remaining part of the ancient abbey. Inside today’s church there is a Romanesque crypt. The hand crafted production of wood (which was popular in the past throughout the valley), has a long tradition here. It is worth mentioning the National Park Visitor Center dedicated to the mankind and forest, and the neighboring location “Il Capanno”, starting point of the Nature Trail devoted to the beech forest.
Santuario Francescano della Verna
Foto by Carlo Gabrielli
La Verna sanctuary is located on the Tuscan Apennines. The mountain, covered by a monumental beech and fir forest, is visible from all over the valley and its top (1283 m) is cut vertically in three sides. Above the rock and surrounded by the forest is the large complex of the Sanctuary which, within its massive and articulated architecture, houses numerous spirituality, art, culture and history treasures. In summer 1224, St. Francis retired to Monte della Verna for his usual period of silence and prayer. During his stay there he asked God to be able to participate in the Passion of Christ, a mystery of love and pain. The Lord listened to him and appeared to him in the form of a crucified seraph, leaving him the seals of his passion as a gift. For this reason, Francis also became the outward image of Christ, to whom he already resembled a lot in terms of his heart and life. The event of the stigmata and the example of life are the most precious goods that Francis gave the friars of La Verna. The demanding legacy of St. Francis, beyond involving each friar personally, also becomes the main message that the community wishes to convey to all the people who visit La Verna.
Romena Castle
The Romena castle is of important value not only for its history and architecture, but also for the beauty of the landscape in which it is located. The three remaining towers are visible from many parts of the Casentino valley and dominate most of it. This extraordinarily charming environment cannot help but have influenced the spirit of two great figures of Italian literature: Dante Alighieri who stayed here during his exile in the early fourteenth century and Gabriele D’Annunzio, from June to October 1902. The first one mentions Romena and the underlying “Fonte Branda” in the Inferno XXX chapter(verses 73-78) when he speaks of Adam, the Counterfeiter. The second one wrote the third book of Laudi here. The Romena castle is commonly considered to be the oldest in Casentino. It is mentioned for the first time in a document of 1008 as a “castrum” belonging to Conte Guido Alberto of the Spoleto Signoria, who owned a vast land in this area.
Pieve di Romena
Foto by Carlo Gabrielli
The famous quote “TEMPORE FAMIS MCLII” (famine era 1152) is carved in the second capital of the left aisle of this Romanesque church dedicated to St. Peter and indicates the circumstance and the year in which this church was built. The Pieve di Romena in Casentino is not only an extraordinary and fascinating Romanesque monument, but it is a place of faith, with a very special and personal touch. A place where our body and mind try to find the right balance. Meetings and thematic courses are held here. People come from all over Italy and Europe to visit this church and the adjacent structures. This is why the Parish Church of Romena is called “Porto di Terra.” All of this is thanks to the Romanian Fraternity, founded in 1991 by Don Luigi Verdi.
Palagio Fiorentino - Stia
Foto by Carlo Gabrielli
Stia is the first town in which the Arno river flows and it is known for the European Biennial of Blacksmithing Art and the so-called “panno del Casentino”. On the occasion of the European Biennial of Blacksmithing Art, artistic and handcrafted works made by both Italian and European blacksmiths, are exhibited. The Arte della Lana museum is located in the complex of the woolen mill, which was restored after decades in a state of neglect. A journey in the history of the Art of wool from the beginnings of human civilization until the Industrial Revolution and the golden age of the woolen mill of Stia. In town there are two wonderful parks: the “Palagio Fiorentino” and the “Canto alla Rana”. The “Palagio Fiorentino” was owned by the Conti Guidi family (as other Castles in this area) and was built by Conte Bandino around 1230. The Conti Guidi family gave birth to the Conti di Palagio dynasty who owned this castle for several years. “Il Canto alla Rana” is a natural park with wide gardens and woods, that runs along the Arno’s river. There is also an adventure park for children.
