San Piero a Sieve between Medici heritage and walking trails

San Piero a Sieve is a place where medieval ecclesiastical history, Medici architecture and trails meet in a predominantly rural setting. This gives your trip planning different focal points: historic buildings, a stage starting in the town centre, forest trails, and markets and festivals featuring local products.

Ecclesiastical history and Medici architecture

The present-day building of the Pieve di San Pietro dates from the mid-12th century and was probably built over an older structure; the parish church is already mentioned in a document from 1018. It contains a glazed terracotta baptismal font attributed to Giovanni della Robbia. The Pieve is among the oldest, and possibly the oldest, parish churches in Mugello.

The Fortezza S. Martino was begun at the behest of the Medici: construction started on 30 June 1569, while Bernardo Buontalenti probably completed the final design in the last decade of the 16th century. The fortress has an irregular defensive ring with seven bastions and extends for approximately one mile.

San Piero a Sieve is also home to the Villa Medicea del Trebbio, a Medici residence recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Cosimo de’ Medici had it built by Michelozzo on the remains of a feudal tower. The villa is privately owned, but can be visited by prior arrangement.

Arriving and getting around

San Piero a Sieve railway station is located within the town and is easily accessible from the town centre. When choosing accommodation in San Piero a Sieve, you can take this location into account as well as the starting point of the Via degli Dei: the stage begins in the historic centre and follows the signs to the Fortezza Medicea.

The route from San Piero a Sieve to Montesenario follows an uphill unpaved road through rows of cypress trees to the hill on which Castello del Trebbio stands. The predominantly rural surroundings and forests around the town include old mule tracks, unpaved roads and paths suitable for trekking, cycling and horse riding. A church stands on a hill overlooking Castello del Trebbio.

Oratorio, markets and local specialities

The Oratorio della Compagnia housed the town’s old hospital from 1275 onwards. The Oratorio is currently managed by Pro Loco San Piero a Sieve APS and is suitable for art exhibitions, photography exhibitions and social and cultural meetings.

Mercanzie in Piazza is a free mixed market for handicrafts, antiques and household clearances. Except in August, it takes place on the second Sunday of every month along Via Provinciale in San Piero a Sieve. At the Festa del Marrone e dei Prodotti Tipici, visitors can sample desserts made with sweet chestnuts, ciambelline and ficattole, and buy typical goods directly from the local farms in attendance. Three full autumn Sundays are dedicated to sweet chestnuts, their recipes and local typical products.

An annual public guided tour of the Fortezza S. Martino is organised by the owners.

Further places for your trip planning

You can also include these places in your trip planning: Barberino Di Mugello, Barberino Val D'elsa, Spedaletto, Montespertoli, Petrognano, Ostina, Greve In Chianti, Lazzeretto.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florence.