Gattaia: Apennines, Muccione Valley and History

Landscape between the Muccione and the Apennines

Gattaia combines a striking mountain landscape with traces of history. Monte Gattaia forms a natural transition between Tuscany and Romagna. The access road to Gattaia runs through a narrow gorge carved by the constantly flowing Muccione towards the Apennines. Southwest of the centre, Viale della Rimembranza di Gattaia runs along the municipal access road to the village and borders the hamlet’s cemetery.

Along the route through the Muccione Valley, there are cascades and pools where hikers can cool off. The route “La valle del Muccione in Mugello” begins above Vicchio, after passing Gattaia.

Hiking between railway remnants and the quarry

In the area around Gattaia, the route through the Muccione Valley leads to the former, now abandoned Fornello station on the Faentina railway. It then passes beneath the Valdicampi Viaduct, a 19th-century railway viaduct with two rows of arches. A detour from the route leads along an unnumbered path to an old quarry. Decauville wagons and the remains of a stone-crushing facility have been preserved there.

Historical traces on Monte Gattaia

Monte Gattaia lies near the Gothic Line and served as an organizational centre and refuge for partisan groups from Mugello. Gattaia was a partisan base from the beginning of the Resistance. Between the 11th and 14th centuries, Gattaia was probably an important gateway to the Apennines. On Monte Gattaia, remains of retaining walls visible from the fortress, traces of a cistern and internal supply structures have been preserved.

The Gattaia memorial plaque commemorates Ottorino Quiti and Adriano Santoni from Gattaia, who were shot by Nazi Fascists on 22 March 1944 at Campo di Marte in Florence. The plaque also recalls that on 6 March 1944, the partisans of Gattaia joined forces with the partisans of Monte Giovi to liberate Vicchio after a fierce battle.

Churches and settlement history

Gattaia developed into a small settlement with a church, a manor villa, a chapel, a mill and two stone footbridges. The ancient Church of Santa Felicita in the lower part of Gattaia has been documented as a “cura d’anime” since 1273. The Church of Santa Felicita al Fiume di Gattaia has a recessed bell gable with three openings on two levels and small bells dating from 1883.

Above the wooden entrance gate of the Church of Santa Felicita al Fiume di Gattaia is an unframed terracotta roundel depicting Saint Felicitas. Gattaia has been associated with a mill and a pilgrim hospice since the mid-14th century; at the beginning of the 15th century, the village had a mill.

When choosing accommodation for your stay, you can plan around these different focal points: the paths through the Muccione Valley lead to pools, railway remnants and the old quarry, while Monte Gattaia, the churches and the memorial plaque provide insights into the history of the landscape and the village. This allows you to discover Gattaia according to your interests, with days of hiking, historical exploration or a combination of both.

Discover more places

Around Gattaia, you can also find Arliano, Villore, Casole, Caselle, Santa Maria A Vezzano and Molezzano.

To the main travel overview: Vicchio.