San Godenzo: Hiking, Art and Monte Falterona

San Godenzo combines the heights of Monte Falterona with natural and cultural experiences. The Alpe di San Benedetto complex lies entirely within the municipality of San Godenzo and the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park. Monte Falterona reaches 1,654 metres, while Alpe di San Benedetto extends along its western slopes. The source of the original Arno River is also located on a slope of Monte Falterona.

Hiking Trails, Waterfall and Viewpoints

The Tre Faggi–Fontanelle trail takes about 2.5 hours and leads to viewpoints overlooking the Mugello and Sieve valleys. In the municipality of San Godenzo, the Sentiero Natura near Castagno d’Andrea is slightly more than 3 kilometres long. Along this trail, geological, natural and historical traces become visible. In the immediate vicinity of San Godenzo, the Acquacheta Waterfall plunges more than 70 metres into the depths. It can be reached via an approximately two-hour hike that leads up the valley.

Castagno d’Andrea and Andrea del Castagno

Castagno d’Andrea, the birthplace of Renaissance painter Andrea del Castagno, lies within the municipality of San Godenzo. The park’s visitor centre in Castagno d’Andrea houses a permanent exhibition about his work.

Romanesque Architecture and Art in San Godenzo

The Abbey of San Gaudenzio in San Godenzo is one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. The abbey houses several works of art: a wooden sculpture of Saint Sebastian by Baccio da Montelupo, a polyptych by Bernardo Daddi from 1333 and a 16th-century Annunciation painting from the school of Andrea del Sarto. This collection is complemented by a large Dante mosaic in the apsidal vault. The works combine three art forms: sculpture, painting and mosaic.

Getting There by Road or by Train and Bus

From Florence, the SS 67 leads via Dicomano to San Godenzo. A provincial road continues via Castagno d’Andrea to Fonte del Borbotto on the slopes of Monte Falterona. For San Godenzo, road travel and travel by train and bus can be planned as separate options. For travelling by public transport, Dicomano on the Florence–Faenza railway line is recommended as the stop; bus connections continue from there to San Godenzo and Castagno d’Andrea.

Ballottata in October

The Ballottata takes place in Castagno d’Andrea in October. The chestnut festival in the municipality of San Godenzo includes tastings of roasted chestnuts, castagnaccio and other specialities. For personal trip planning, this October event should be considered as a seasonal occasion.

More Destinations for Your Trip Planning

For broader trip planning, you can also discover Spedaletto, Empoli, Rignano Sull'arno, Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa, Cerreto Guidi, Greve in Chianti, Il Castagno D'Andrea and Vaglia.

For the overarching travel overview: Florence.