Castelfranco Di Sopra: Torre d'Arnolfo, Art and Balze

Historic buildings and distinctive landforms give Castelfranco Di Sopra a clear character. Culture, architecture, theatre and the unusual formations of the Balze offer different starting points for planning your trip.

The Torre d'Arnolfo and the history of the castle

The Torre d'Arnolfo is the tower of the Porta Campana and is also known as the Torre Fiorentina or Torre dell'Orologio. It is the most visible surviving part of the former castle of Castelfranco Di Sopra and a landmark of the town. The Florentine lily and the year 1300 are carved into it. You can climb the tower; from the top, views extend over Castelfranco, the foothills of the Apennines and the Balze.

Chiesa S. Tommaso and Florentine painting

The original Romanesque Chiesa S. Tommaso a Castelfranco was already in existence during the construction of the Castello Franco in 1299. The church has a 15th-century pronaos with octagonal stone columns and Corinthian capitals, which was reconstructed in 1775. It also houses Florentine paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works from the former convent of the Augustinian nuns of Castelfranco.

Further art can be found in the Chiesa di San Filippo Neri, which preserves works from the Florentine workshop of Andrea del Sarto and by Matteo Rosselli. The Badia di San Salvatore a Soffena was built in the 11th century on the ruins of an ancient castle.

Le Balze del Valdarno and the Sentiero dell'Acqua Zolfina

Le Balze del Valdarno, also known as Smotte, are a characteristic geotope made up of layered sands, clays and gravels. The formations reach heights of up to 100 metres, take on a variety of shapes and are cut through by deep ravines.

If you are planning a day in the landscape, the Sentiero dell'Acqua Zolfina follows the Borro delle Fossate towards Botriolo after leaving Castelfranco Di Sopra. The route then continues along an unpaved road towards Riguzze.

Theatre and the Infiorata

In June, on Corpus Christi, the Infiorata decorates the main streets of Castelfranco Di Sopra with flowers. A theatre season is regularly held at the Teatro Capodaglio. The Premio Nazionale di Teatro Wanda Capodaglio is a recurring national theatre competition held at the Teatro Capodaglio in Castelfranco Di Sopra. When planning the timing of your visit, you can therefore take floral design and stage events into account alongside art and architectural history.

Choose accommodation based on your interests

When choosing accommodation in Castelfranco Di Sopra, you can decide in advance what you would like to focus on during your days: historic buildings and Florentine painting, theatre, or the Balze and the route of the Sentiero dell'Acqua Zolfina. This allows you to align your travel plans with the subjects you personally wish to explore in greater depth, without separating culture from the landscape.

More destinations for your planning

For further travel planning, you can also consider the following places: Corezzo, Pieve Santo Stefano, Strada, Fratta-Santa Caterina, Castiglion Fiorentino, Pulicciano, Pian Di Sco and Sodo.

For the overview of the wider area: Arezzo.