Polvano: Chiesa di San Pietro and trails in the Val di Chio

Polvano between church and valley history

Polvano is connected with the Chiesa di San Pietro, the historic settlement core of Polvano di Sopra and the trail routes in the Val di Chio. For those interested in culture and hiking, the specific points of interest therefore lie in architecture, settlement history and trail routes.

The Chiesa di San Pietro

There has been a church in Polvano dedicated to the Apostle Peter since 1302. It is called Chiesa di San Pietro and has a single-nave interior. In addition to the high altar, there are two side altars on the left and right sides of the interior.

The high altar stands at the center of the interior and is raised by one step. Above it is a painting depicting Jesus handing the keys of the Church to the kneeling Saint Peter. The scene connects the church’s dedication to Peter with the central image in the altar area.

There is a statue of the Madonna at the left altar, while the right altar features a painting of the birth of the Virgin Mary. The two side altars therefore differ in their medium: a statue on the left and a painting on the right.

The façade of the Chiesa di San Pietro is also clearly designed: it is plastered and constructed as a gabled façade. The main portal and windows are framed by stone elements. The stone surrounds are therefore located around the openings in the plastered front.

Polvano di Sopra and the Val di Chio

Polvano di Sopra is designated as a historic rural settlement core with a historic town center. Polvano developed from an earlier hospice for accommodating travelers in the Val di Chio. The history of travel is therefore part of both Polvano’s origins and the valley’s historical context.

One of the most important historic connecting routes between Tuscany and the Adriatic coast ran through the Val di Chio. This connection is part of the valley’s history alongside the history of Polvano’s origins.

Trail routes in the Val di Chio

The La Verna–Trasimeno hiking route reaches the provincial road SP39 di Polvano e della valle del Nestore at Belvedere.

After crossing the SP39 di Polvano e della valle del Nestore, the hiking route continues along a cart track to Spinabbio. For personal planning, the road crossing at Belvedere can be considered separately from the subsequent section to Spinabbio. This sequence belongs to the same route section; the change from provincial road to cart track should be considered as a separate section.

Sentiero 50 runs along the ridge above the Val di Chio and part of the Valdichiana to Monte Corneta (743 m); the route then descends to Renzana (563 m).

For personal hiking plans, the ridge section and the subsequent descent should be considered as separate trail phases. Monte Corneta and Renzana mark the elevation change described here.

Other places for orientation

Other places for orientation include Montecchio, Pergognano, Le Piazze and Castroncello.

For the higher-level travel overview: Castiglion Fiorentino.