Marradi: Culture, Chestnuts and Trails in the Apennines

Marradi is a destination for you if you would like to combine culture, regional cuisine and days spent in the countryside. The town offers everything from a permanent exhibition and historic palaces to sacred art, markets, chestnut products and trails through the Apennines. This allows you to plan your stay around cultural, culinary or active pursuits without limiting yourself to just one theme.

Culture with clear focal points

At the Centro di Studio e Documentazione sul Castagno, there is a permanent exhibition entitled „Il castagno e le sue risorse“. Reservations are required for organized visits with specialized guides. The center also offers educational activities for primary and secondary school pupils as well as university students; amateurs and naturalists are included too. This means that the site can be explored in different ways depending on your prior knowledge and interests.

Another cultural venue is the Museo de Arte Contemporánea „Artisti per Dino Campana“. Its collection is based on 68 works. Together with the Centro Studi Campaniani, it creates a distinctive link to Marradi's artistic and literary history: the Centro Studi Campaniani was founded in 1989 to preserve and continue the work and documentation of the poet Dino Campana.

Palaces, Church and Theatre

Numerous aristocratic palaces shape the appearance of Marradi's historic center. The Chiesa di San Lorenzo was rebuilt in the 18th century in the Neoclassical style; paintings by the Maestro di Marradi have been preserved inside. Palazzo Torriani was built at the end of the 16th century on behalf of the Razzi family. The Torriani family took over the property and completed the building around 1650.

Inside Palazzo Torriani, decorations in the Liberty style by Galileo Chini from the early years of the 20th century and a painting by Silvestro Lega have been preserved. Marradi is also home to the 18th-century Teatro degli Animosi. The various buildings are worth selecting deliberately: you can explore Neoclassical sacred architecture, aristocratic palaces, art and theatre history through your own thematic focuses.

Apennines, Chestnut Groves and Active Days

The Lamone River runs through Marradi. The area is suitable for trekking and mountain biking. A trail through the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines begins in Marradi and ends at the Eremo di Gamogna, an old monastic complex. Along the „Nei Castagneti“ route, centuries-old, well-maintained sweet chestnut groves can be seen. When planning your activities, you can therefore choose between trekking, mountain biking and the „Nei Castagneti“ route with its sweet chestnut groves.

Market and Marrone del Mugello IGP

The weekly market in Marradi takes place on Monday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marrone del Mugello IGP chestnuts are eaten roasted or boiled and used in preparations such as Castagnaccio and marron glacé. If you would like to get to know the town through its everyday culture and cuisine, market hours and chestnut products are clear points of reference for planning your day.

Getting There by the Ferrovia Faentina

On the Ferrovia Faentina, the train reaches Marradi approximately half an hour after departing from Borgo San Lorenzo. You can take this approximate travel time into account when putting together your trip, along with the different cultural and landscape highlights in the area.

More Destinations

If you would like to add more places to your travel plans, also take a look at Popolano and Lutirano.

Other destinations for your own reference include Londa, Borgo San Lorenzo, Campi Bisenzio, Leccio, Scandicci and Palazzuolo Sul Senio.

For the main travel overview: Florence.