San Donato In Collina: History, Trails, and the Tuscan Landscape

San Donato in Collina lies on a pass between Bagno a Ripoli and Rignano sull’Arno and is equidistant from both towns. Here, you can explore two well-documented gateways to the Tuscan landscape: historic buildings and paths with a long history. The S. DONATO COLLINA stop is served by route 353.

Villa Torre a Cona and Its Historic Park

The historic Villa-Fattoria Torre a Cona is located in San Donato in Collina and is surrounded by an extensive park. The villa was built on an existing medieval tower. Its park was laid out between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Its geometric, diamond-shaped design is defined by paths radiating from the center. Tall cypresses, holm oaks, and individual downy oaks characterize the tree cover.

The park of Villa Torre a Cona also contains mythological and allegorical statues by Giuseppe Cantini.

Church, Ridge, and Ancient Roads

The Chiesa di San Donato in Collina is documented in records from 1147 and 1223. It features a Romanesque layout and later alterations by Tuscan craftsmen. In the 17th century, it received a painting of the Madonna del Rosario donated by the Rinuccini family. The church stands on the ridge of the same name near Villa Torre a Cona, along the old Strada Regia Aretina.

The Via Maremmana near San Donato in Collina is an ancient transhumance route used by people and livestock herds traveling from the Val di Sieve and Alto Casentino. The Selletta di Montecucco is one of the best-preserved sections of the ancient road that connected the Valdarno with the Pian di Ripoli.

Hiking Through Woods, Vineyards, and Olive Groves

The Pontassieve–Montecucco–San Donato section of the Anello del Rinascimento is 13 kilometers long and takes about 4 hours and 30 minutes. The 18-kilometer section from San Donato in Collina to Impruneta takes about six hours and is known for the woods around Fonte Santa, as well as its vineyards and olive groves. The section of the Anello del Rinascimento starting from San Donato in Collina broadly follows in the footsteps of pilgrims who once crossed this area on their way to Rome. The different distances help you plan a shorter or longer stage according to your own travel pace.

A Local Specialty with a Living Tradition

A local specialty is the Frittelle di San Giuseppe, a traditional rice fritter from San Donato in Collina traditionally associated with the feast of Saint Joseph. Volunteers preserve the traditional recipe and keep this custom alive to this day.

When choosing your hotel in San Donato in Collina, you can make the historic sites, hiking stages, or rural landscape the focus of your travel itinerary.

More Destinations for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to add more destinations to your trip, also discover Rosano, Volognano and Troghi.

To the main travel overview: Rignano Sull'arno.