Discover Montaio: Castle, Church and Circular Walk

Montaio between castle history and hilly landscapes

Montaio takes you deep into a layered past. An Etruscan-Roman settlement is documented in the village, while the first documentary mentions date back to the 12th century. The fortified village was besieged and conquered by the Florentines in 1252. After the conquest, the village walls were completely demolished. Montaio Castle stood along a strategic route between the Valdarno and Siena and, towards the end of the 12th century, also exercised jurisdiction over the municipality of Cavriglia.

The castle and the surviving traces of the municipality

Montaio Castle is still clearly visible today and stands on the summit of a steeply descending hill above Cavriglia. After the destruction of the village, it was rebuilt and later shared the fate of the Republic of Florence. Another gateway to the medieval history is provided by the first statutes of the municipality of Montaio: they date from the end of the 14th century and have survived to this day.

San Silvestro and sacred history

Today, the Church of San Silvestro displays Neoclassical architecture in a style typical of the 19th century. At the same time, it preserves older traces: several sections of the medieval walls that surrounded the village are incorporated into the rear part. The church’s present form and the integrated medieval walls belong to different construction phases. Next to the church stood an old hospital dedicated to Saint Paul, which is already documented as having hosted a pastoral visit in 1446. In 1299, San Silvestro was among the churches dependent on the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista in Cavriglia. The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista in Cavriglia is connected both with the historical classification of San Silvestro and with the museum. The Museo di arte sacra della Pieve di San Giovanni Battista di Cavriglia also displays objects from the churches of Montaio.

Hiking through Montaio and Grimoli

The CAI Anello Cavriglia–Montaio–Grimoli–Parco Fotovoltaico circular trail passes through Montaio and is an approximately 11.5-kilometre, easy-to-walk circular route. The word “approximately” indicates an estimated value; a specific walking time is not established by the easy rating, so breaks and personal pace determine the time required. On the slopes of Montaio-Grimoli, olive groves alternate with small vineyards. In the village, a Romanesque arch supports the road and adds a striking architectural detail to the historic scene. Fragments of two lines of walls can be identified on the relevant slope; the former access gates to the castle can also be identified.

Further destinations in the same area: Meleto, Montegonzi, Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni.

For the broader travel overview: Cavriglia.