If you’re booked into a villa in Arezzo province this year then why not head on a fascinating day trip from Arezzo town itself to see these two little gems? Stay in a beautiful villa in the Arezzo area and enjoy all that this scenic part of Tuscany has to offer.
The picturesque town of San Giovanni Valdarno is located only 30 minutes’ drive west of Arezzo town in the Arno River Valley. Originally called Castel San Giovanni, this commune was founded by the Florentine Republic in 1296. It was designed using a traditional Roman town layout with a large piazza in the centre and four perpendicular roads leading out from each side.
The picturesque town of San Giovanni Valdarno is located only 30 minutes’ drive west of Arezzo town in the Arno River Valley. Originally called Castel San Giovanni, this commune was founded by the Florentine Republic in 1296. It was designed using a traditional Roman town layout with a large piazza in the centre and four perpendicular roads leading out from each side.
Stroll around the 13th century Palazzo d’Arnolfo overlooking the town square before meandering around to gaze upon other quaint religious monuments in San Giovanni Valdarno housing many artistic treasures.
Walk around the interesting Museo delle Terre Nuove Toscane to learn about the medieval history of San Giovanni Valdarno and its vibrant cultural traditions.
This pretty commune is ideally located for tourists to explore as it lies along the Florence-Rome railway line. Or continue your day trip around Arezzo by car with a visit to the nearby commune of Loro Ciuffenna, only twenty minutes’ drive east.
The charming little town of Loro Ciuffenna is located 320 metres up on the southern ridge of Pratomagno. Follow the old Roman bridge leading into the commune, the 7th bridge you’ll cross en route here. This popular holiday town is divided in two by a deep ravine that is bridged to allow easy access throughout the mountainous area.
Walk around the interesting Museo delle Terre Nuove Toscane to learn about the medieval history of San Giovanni Valdarno and its vibrant cultural traditions.
This pretty commune is ideally located for tourists to explore as it lies along the Florence-Rome railway line. Or continue your day trip around Arezzo by car with a visit to the nearby commune of Loro Ciuffenna, only twenty minutes’ drive east.
The charming little town of Loro Ciuffenna is located 320 metres up on the southern ridge of Pratomagno. Follow the old Roman bridge leading into the commune, the 7th bridge you’ll cross en route here. This popular holiday town is divided in two by a deep ravine that is bridged to allow easy access throughout the mountainous area.
Before the abandonment of the nearby trading road called Cassia Vetus, this Etruscan settlement flourished. Today, Loro Ciuffenna is a much quieter place than it was then but its beauty and scenic mountainous surroundings have made it no less wonderful to visit.
At the top of Loro Ciuffenna is the church of Santa Maria Assunta which houses some admirable 14th-16th century frescoes.
Walk around the narrow streets and shops of this quaint little town and soak up some authentic Tuscan culture!
At the top of Loro Ciuffenna is the church of Santa Maria Assunta which houses some admirable 14th-16th century frescoes.
Walk around the narrow streets and shops of this quaint little town and soak up some authentic Tuscan culture!
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: JacobH / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Ggolob / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: JacobH / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Ggolob / CC BY-SA 3.0