Pieve al Toppo between history and a short driving route

Pieve al Toppo combines an early Christian parish church with a history of ancient routes and an annual festival. The area is also associated with the 3rd itinerary, “i nuclei di piano”, and the Mugliano farm complex nearby. Those travelling to the village by car will find historic connections towards Chiusi and Siena, as well as ecclesiastical and political links.

The “i nuclei di piano” route

The 3rd itinerary, “i nuclei di piano”, passes through Pieve al Toppo, Tegoleto, Spoiano, Albergo, Badia al Pino and Viciomaggio.

The route is about 22 kilometres long and is travelled by car. A total of half a day is sufficient for the itinerary. This time estimate refers to the entire route, not just the section in Pieve al Toppo. This leaves a clearly limited timeframe for planning the day, encompassing the drive through several settlements. The places lie along the same route described: alongside Pieve al Toppo, Tegoleto, Spoiano, Albergo, Badia al Pino and Viciomaggio are part of the itinerary. This makes it possible to distinguish the timing of the route section from the individual historical topics of the village.

Access and ancient routes

Pieve al Toppo can be reached via State Road 73. The old parish church stood at the meeting point of the Via Cassia towards Chiusi and the old road towards Siena. State Road 73 therefore runs alongside an older route connection linking the parish church’s location with two specific directions.

A parish church with a long history

The name “Pieve al Toppo” derives from a rural parish church known as a pieve. In 938, there was a very old parish church with an adjoining pilgrims’ hospice.

The early Christian parish church of Pieve al Toppo had been abandoned by the mid-15th century. Later, after this period, it was merged with the church of S. Andrea di Oliveto.

Political and religious connections

In 1288, Guglielmino degli Ubertini’s army defeated the troops from Siena at Pieve al Toppo. From 1906 onwards, the oratory was dedicated to the Madonna del Conforto. The military conflict and the later dedication belong to two clearly different periods in the history of the village.

Mugliano and the Fiera del Miele

The impressive Mugliano farm complex is located near Pieve al Toppo. The Fiera del Miele takes place every year on the first Sunday in October on the forecourt of the Circolo on Via dei Boschi in Pieve al Toppo. The date falls in autumn; the Circolo forecourt on Via dei Boschi is the established venue in the village. Mugliano and the Fiera are therefore in different locations: the farm complex is nearby, while the festival takes place in Pieve al Toppo itself.

Access status

As of 17 February 2025, the village of Pieve al Toppo was freely accessible to the public.

More destinations

For further travel planning, you can also find Fratta-Santa Caterina, Foiano Della Chiana, Marciano Della Chiana, Colcellalto, Ronzano, Pierle, Santa Firmina and Terranuova Bracciolini.

For the overview of the wider area: Arezzo.