Caprese Michelangelo: Frescoes, Mountains and Chestnut Festival

Caprese Michelangelo can be explored through art, sacred history and mountain landscapes. The Museo Michelangiolesco displays frescoes depicting 23 scenes from Michelangelo’s life. The local thematic attractions include not only the museum but also churches, a sanctuary and a section of the Via di Francesco.

Art and Sacred History

The outdoor areas and upper courtyard of the Museo Michelangiolesco house modern and contemporary sculptures made of wood and bronze. They date mainly from the second half of the 20th century. Thus, within the museum, a chronological arc stretches from the frescoes connected to Michelangelo’s world to more recent sculpture. Culture enthusiasts can connect the biographical references in the frescoes at the Museo Michelangiolesco with the material and historical development of the wooden and bronze sculptures.

In Monna, the Chiesa di San Cristoforo was founded by Benedictine monks in the 10th century. The Chiesa di San Paolo in Monna dates from the 11th century. Chronologically, the two churches in Monna date from the 10th and 11th centuries, while the Santuario della Madonna della Selva dates from the 17th century.

The Santuario della Madonna della Selva was built between 1634 and 1640 to house an older fresco and receive many worshippers. Following the reported Marian apparitions of 1634, the fresco of the Madonna della Selva in Caprese Michelangelo and the surrounding area became increasingly venerated. The fresco is therefore part of the sacred history of Caprese Michelangelo.

Pilgrimage Route and Mountain Landscapes

The western section of the Via di Francesco from La Verna to Anghiari passes through Caprese Michelangelo and Montauto. The route connects La Verna, Caprese Michelangelo, Montauto and Anghiari.

On Monte Castello, at 1,415 m above sea level and commonly known as “Faggeta,” there is a meadow surrounded by monumental forests. For cyclists who enjoy mountain landscapes, Caprese Michelangelo offers off-road and road cycling routes. Mountain nature and active recreation therefore represent two distinct ways of exploring the area thematically.

Monte Fungaia is located in the immediate vicinity of Caprese Michelangelo; the mountains Piano di Colcelle, Poggio Fognano and Monte Penna are located in the surrounding area of Caprese Michelangelo.

Chestnut Festival and Regional Culture

The Festa del Marrone DOP offers a culinary perspective. It takes place every year in October in the historic center of Caprese Michelangelo. During the festival, chestnut dishes, including castagnaccio, are served continuously. Its fixed connection to the month of October makes the festival a clearly defined part of the local food culture.

The wider regional area around Caprese Michelangelo is home to the Castello dei Conti Guidi, the Casa del Vasari museum and the Museo Diocesano Arezzo. Through these three institutions, the cultural connection extends beyond Caprese Michelangelo.

Discover More Places

More destination pages: Borgonuovo, Falcigiano, Campoluci, Pratantico, Santa Firmina, Lonnano, Castiglion Fiorentino and Montebenichi.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Arezzo.