Le Vedute: Forests, Culture and Traces of the Past

Le Vedute combines a forested landscape with traces of human history reaching far back in time and individual examples of more recent cultural history. For your travel planning, the area can therefore be viewed from several perspectives: the Cerbaie stand for nature and trails, villas and oratories for architectural history, and museums and commemorative events for cultural themes.

Cerbaie Natural Area

The Cerbaie forests lie within the municipality of Fucecchio, between the districts of Pinete, Torre and Vedute. The Cerbaie are designated as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The SCI is home to Drosera Rotundifolia, considered a carnivorous plant from the Ice Age. In the forests, 7.5 kilometres of hiking trails have been restored. The forests of the former Ex Opera Pia Landini Marchiani were also the subject of a municipal project to enhance their tourism and recreational potential. For nature enthusiasts, this creates several connections between the landscape, plant life and trails.

Villas, Chapels and Oratories

A brick chapel in the park of Villa di Poggio near Le Vedute was built in 1798 by the Benvenuti family of Fucecchio. It is dedicated to the Saints SS. Candido e Teresia. An oratory adjoining Villa Bassi near Le Vedute was built in 1836 by Francesco Antonio Bassi. Between 1878 and 1880, the oratory was extended to create a small sacristy.

Archaeological Traces

The area of Le Vedute contains scattered stone artefacts and traces of human presence from the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic; the period spans from 300,000 to 8,000 years ago. The Capanno del Banti complex near Le Vedute is considered an individual bivouac or hut floor dating from the period between the Late Gravettian and the Early Epigravettian. These finds give the landscape a temporal depth that extends far beyond the surviving buildings of more recent history.

Commemorative Culture in Le Vedute

Villa Bassi Le Vedute is associated with the childhood memories of Indro Montanelli. Since 2011, concerts and events commemorating Indro Montanelli have been documented at Villa Bassi. In December, the “Salotto Bono” in Le Vedute reopens for a literary tea. Thus, literary and musical connections complement the architectural heritage.

Places to Visit Nearby

Several cultural attractions lie in the surroundings of Le Vedute: the Museo MuMeLoc, a museum, and the Badia di S. Salvatore di Fucecchio monastery. Also located near Le Vedute are the Fondazione San Miniato Promozione, a museum, and the Museo Diocesano Di Arte Sacra. The Giardino dei Pini garden is also in this area.

In the wider regional surroundings of Le Vedute lie Monte Serra, Monte Cascetto and the summit of La Cupola. Those interested in culture can focus on the villas, museums and events; those who prefer landscapes can turn their attention to the Cerbaie and the regional mountains. When choosing your hotel in Le Vedute, you can therefore consider whether your trip should focus on nature, architectural and commemorative culture, or a combination of these.

Further Places for Your Travel Planning

If you would like to plan your trip beyond Le Vedute, also discover Turignano, Legri, Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa, Rignano Sull'arno, Signa, Montelupo Fiorentino, Massarella and Capraia E Limite.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florence.