Rignano sull'Arno: Trails, Churches and Tuscan History

Rignano sull'Arno lies in the Valdarno between the river and the hills. The area includes scattered hamlets surrounded by greenery, Romanesque parish churches and cultivated fields. Hills, vineyards and olive groves characterize the surroundings; trails invite you to go on excursions and walks. When choosing your accommodation, you can combine nature, culture and regional cuisine.

Hiking through the Landscape

The network of hiking trails passes through forests, hills, rural areas and places of historical interest. The easy Discover Rignano – Pievi, Chiese e Castelli circular route begins at the Pieve di San Leolino, is 10.8 km long, takes 3 hours 30 minutes and includes 283 metres of elevation gain. The easy Anello di Volognano starts in Bombone, measures 8.5 km and takes 3 hours; it leads through olive groves, vineyards and fortified villages with views of the Arno Valley and the Pratomagno massif.

The Sentiero della Memoria is an easy 5 km circular route starting at the Cimitero della Badiuzza; it takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and includes 130 metres of elevation gain. The Via di Francesco passes through Rignano sull'Arno and forms part of a Tuscan network of trails connecting places associated with the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Historical Traces and Bridges

Castelluccio was first documented in 1086 under the Latin name Castellum de Regnano. Since at least the 1980s, it has been known and visited as an archaeological area with significant medieval remains. The ruins of the fortified site lie in a small olive grove on the grounds of the Fattoria di Pagnana. Castello di Volognano dates back to the 11th century; its walls enclose a fortified village.

The Ponte di Rignano is also known as Ponte Mediceo and Ponte San Clemente. It is considered the oldest bridge in the Valdarno and connects the two banks of the Arno near Rignano.

Ecclesiastical Heritage and Art

Santa Maria Abbey is located in Rosano, within the municipality of Rignano sull'Arno. It was founded in 780 and has always housed a cloistered Benedictine women's community. Its church contains a painted depiction of the Cross dating from the 12th century, recently restored by the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence. The Pieve di San Leolino contains a fragment of the Madonna della Consolazione fresco by Bicci di Lorenzo.

The Pieve di San Leolino probably belongs to the oldest Romanesque parish churches in the Florentine surroundings. Reservations are required for weekday visits, while visits on Saturdays and Sundays are scheduled during Masses.

Remembrance, Festivals and Regional Products

Villa Il Focardo is associated with the massacre of members of the Einstein-Mazzetti family on 3 August 1944. The family's grave in the Cimitero della Badiuzza is a destination for visits and moments of remembrance.

Olive cultivation is used to produce extra virgin olive oil; Rignano sull'Arno lies within the Chianti DOCG area. The Festa delle Frittelle takes place in February and March in San Donato in Collina, the Sagra del Tartufo in June in Cellai, and the Tiro del Cacio on 2 June and 26 December in Torri.

Getting There

Rignano sull'Arno can be reached by car via the A1 and by train via frequent connections from Florence railway station.

More Destinations

For further orientation: Troghi, Volognano, San Donato In Collina and Rosano.

For the overview of the higher-level destination: Florence.

More Travel Destinations

More places under the same destination:

Spedaletto, Bassa, Polcanto, Monterappoli.