Giovi-Ponte Alla Chiassa: Arno, History and River Landscape

Giovi on the Arno

Giovi is a historic place of great value overlooking the Arno. Giovi is one of the area's historic centres. The view of the Arno combines the historic character of the village with a tangible river landscape. The Torrente Chiassa adds another water feature with a stretch between Giovi and Ponte alla Chiassa that includes small cascades. Bridge remains, the Festa al Vecchio Ponte, the dish Grifi and the former Sentiero natura F also provide insight into the area's local and everyday history.

Water and Landscape

During T-Rafting, the route follows a little-frequented stretch of the Arno, away from the main tourist routes and surrounded by natural landscape. The T-Rafting activity is suitable for groups of friends and also for beginners. T-Rafting on the Arno can be included in a plan for beginners as well as in a group activity for friends. Its route between Borgo a Giovi and Castelluccio remains focused on the described stretch of the Arno. It allows visitors to explore a stretch of river from the footbridge of Borgo a Giovi to Castelluccio. The Torrente Chiassa provides a second landscape feature. One of the most beautiful stretches of the Torrente Chiassa lies between the districts of Giovi and Ponte alla Chiassa. This stretch includes small cascades. The location on the Arno and the Torrente Chiassa creates two distinct water landscapes: a stretch of river with T-Rafting and a stretch of stream with small cascades.

Bridges and Local History

A preserved Roman bridge pier is the only remaining relic of the old bridge, which was destroyed by explosions during the Second World War. The name Festa al Vecchio Ponte refers to the remains of a Romanesque stone bridge that remain in the Torrente Chiassa. Grifi are among the traditional dishes associated with the Festa al Vecchio Ponte. Grifi are therefore part of the culinary side of the Festa al Vecchio Ponte as a traditional dish. The Roman bridge pier and the Romanesque stone bridge represent two historical connections to bridges. The Festa al Vecchio Ponte and Grifi connect these bridge-related themes with local food culture.

The Former Sentiero natura F

A former walk along the Sentiero natura F included stops at old mills that once used the energy of the river and led from the area of the Circolo ricreativo di Giovi towards Ponte alla Chiassa. The Sentiero natura F was equipped with signs, directional markers and explanatory information. The mills represent former use of the river; directional markers, signs and explanatory information were part of the facilities along the Sentiero natura F. The direction from the Circolo ricreativo di Giovi to Ponte alla Chiassa also gives the former route a specific spatial axis. The former route connection complements the water landscape with a history of the area’s paths.

Other Places for Orientation

Pieve al Toppo, San Giovanni Valdarno, Marciano Della Chiana, Corezzo, Pierle, Monterchi, Tregozzano, Campoluci

For the higher-level travel overview: Arezzo.