Montevarchi: Museums, Market and Historic Sites

Historic Centre and Museums

Montevarchi reveals its character particularly in the historic centre: its medieval layout is centred around Piazza Varchi, the former hub of civic life. For culture enthusiasts, this urban setting combines sacred art, palaeontology, archaeology and Italian sculpture; the market, wine and clearly distinct routes add further themes to consider when planning a trip.

The old sacristy of the Collegiata di San Lorenzo now houses the Museo d’Arte Sacra. The Museo Paleontologico dell’Accademia Valdarnese del Poggio is housed in a 14th-century Franciscan monastery. The monastery is accessed through a Renaissance cloister. The museum preserves around 3,000 finds from the area, telling the story of the Valdarno from 3 million to 200,000 years ago.

Since 2016, the palaeontological museum has also included the “Alvaro Tracchi” Archaeological Department. Its collection includes Etruscan-Roman finds from the area and the Viterbo region. Il Cassero per la scultura italiana dell’Ottocento e del Novecento is housed in the historic rooms of the Cassero in Montevarchi. Villa Masini was used as a filming location for several scenes in Roberto Benigni’s Oscar-winning film “Life Is Beautiful”.

Sacred Sites and Civic Traditions

The Chiesa del Giglio was built in the 16th century in a rural location called Ilium (Giglio), just outside the walls of Mercatale along Via Fiorentina. In the village of La Ginestra near Montevarchi, the present-day Chiesa di Santa Croce is all that remains of the more significant former Sant’Angelo alla Ginestra monastery. The two churches therefore represent different historical situations: construction in a rural location and the surviving remains of a former monastery.

The Gioco del Pozzo, a traditional competition between the districts of Montevarchi, is also part of civic life. The Mercato Coperto degli Agricoltori di Montevarchi is a direct-sales market for local agricultural and food products, open every day. Meetings with chefs and producers, cooking demonstrations and tasting evenings are held there regularly.

Wine Route, Cycle Route and Circular Trail

Montevarchi lies on the Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo, a route more than 200 kilometres long through the province of Arezzo and the Chianti DOCG Colli Aretini growing area. This makes the Strada del Vino a destination for travellers who want to consider local products not only at an individual market, but also in their regional context.

The Via dei Fossili is a cycle route between Cavriglia and Montevarchi. The Sentiero Antonio Losi, by contrast, is a 13-kilometre circular trail with 400 metres of elevation gain. It starts at Piazza Donatori di Sangue in Montevarchi, just a few steps from the railway station. The different types of route, as well as the length and elevation gain of the circular trail, help you consider cycling and hiking plans separately.

Further Destinations

Further destinations for your travel planning: Mercatale Valdarno, Moncioni.

For the higher-level travel overview: Arezzo.

More Travel Destinations

More places under the same destination:

Subbiano, Stia, Ortignano Raggiolo, Bucine, Laterina, Padonchia.