Discover Reggello: Art, Forest and Olive Culture

Reggello appeals to travelers who want to combine art, forests and regional cuisine. The Museo Masaccio di Arte Sacra, Vallombrosa and the hilly landscape with its olive groves each offer a different focus. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you want to focus primarily on museums and architectural history, paths through the forest or the local olive oil tradition.

Art and Architectural History

The Museo Masaccio di Arte Sacra houses paintings of Florentine art, silverwork, ecclesiastical objects and a collection of precious liturgical vestments from the 15th to the 20th century. Particularly striking is the Trittico di San Giovenale: it bears the date of completion, 23 April 1422, and is considered the first known work by the young Masaccio.

The Museo d'Arte Sacra dell’Abbazia di Vallombrosa also broadens the cultural range with paintings, sculptures, old books, illuminated codices and liturgical objects. These include the Parato Altoviti and an altarpiece by Domenico Ghirlandaio and his workshop. The large cloister, sacristy and tower of the Abbazia di Vallombrosa date from the 15th century.

The Pieve di San Pietro a Cascia was built at the behest of Countess Matilde di Canossa between the 10th and 11th centuries and is a well-preserved example of Romanesque architecture. La Fornacella and Casa Masaccio are museums in the area around Reggello. The Castello di Sammezzano in Reggello combines Arabic and Indian elements, forms inspired by the Alhambra in Granada and symbols of Freemasonry; it is currently closed to the public.

Vallombrosa: Forests and Tree Worlds

The Foresta di Vallombrosa covers 1,279 hectares and lies at elevations between 450 and 1,450 meters. The combination of its large area and pronounced changes in elevation shapes the natural environment. For hiking enthusiasts, the Anello dei Giganti trail in the Riserva Biogenetica Naturale di Vallombrosa is a central attraction: on foot, it leads to a 62.45-meter-tall Douglas fir and a second tree measuring 59.83 meters in height.

The Arboreti Sperimentali di Vallombrosa comprise more than 3,000 specimens from over 1,000 botanical units and 85 genera from different parts of the world. The collection thus complements the forest trail with a distinct focus for anyone interested in tree species, botanical diversity and cultivated landscapes.

The landscape also includes Poggio Stefanieri and Monte Pianellaccio, both mountains in the area around Reggello. Monte Querciabella and Il Pratone are mountains in the wider regional surroundings of Reggello.

Olive Culture and Seasonal Event

The hilly landscape around Reggello has included terraces planted with vineyards and olive groves since the 14th century. Reggello Toscano extra virgin olive oil is produced there. The olive oil tradition is therefore closely connected with the historical shaping of the landscape.

If you would like to discover regional products as part of an event, the Rassegna dell'Olio Extravergine d'Oliva di Reggello takes place every year at the end of October and beginning of November. It offers stalls run by local producers as well as public tastings.

San Donato Fronzano, Donnini, Fornaci Incisa, Vallombrosa, Sant'ellero, Tosi, Cancelli, Tallini

For the higher-level travel overview: Florence.