Fornacelle: Local History on the Via Montalese

Fornacelle is one of Montemurlo’s historic founding settlements and lies along the old Via Montalese towards Montale. If you want to understand a place’s character rather than simply collect sights, this is where the view extends from the history of its name to the wider municipal area of Montemurlo.

Church and the History of the Name

The name Fornacelle derives from the lime and brick kilns dating back to the 15th century. The area itself represents another historical layer: on 5 June 1986, it was established as a parish under the title Santa Maria Madre di Dio. A defibrillator is located at the entrance to the Church of Santa Maria Madre di Dio at Via Lamarmora 1. The parish’s establishment in 1986 therefore took place later than the origin of the name in the 15th century.

Villa Giamari and Historic Buildings

Villa Giamari is also part of the area’s history. It initially belonged to the Villani family. In October 2003, the municipal library moved to the Renaissance villa Villa Giamari; the Municipal Historical Archive is also housed in the municipal library. For decades, Sunday Mass was celebrated in the chapel adjoining Villa Giamari in the Fornacelle district of Montemurlo.

Other historic buildings in Montemurlo add to this picture. These include premises built between 1895 and 1906 for use as a school.

One sturdy building features a Neoclassical design.

The Tabernacolo del Campo Santo still stands today on the Via Montalese in the Fornacelle area. It commemorates the discovery in memory of which it was erected. Together with the old Via Montalese, it allows you to explore the history of the area through its buildings and memorial markers.

Monteferrato and the Via delle Rocche

The natural side lies within the municipality of Montemurlo: the protected Monteferrato area is located entirely within the municipal boundaries. Within the municipality, the Via delle Rocche is a 44.5-kilometre hiking trail of moderate difficulty. It begins at the hill of Montemurlo and its fortified village. This gives you a clear travel choice between exploring cultural history and undertaking a long hike of moderate difficulty. Plan the Via delle Rocche, with its 44.5 kilometres and moderate difficulty level, as a separate hike.

When choosing a hotel, you can use these focuses as a personal decision-making aid: would you like to centre your stay mainly on Fornacelle’s local and architectural history, or are nature and hiking your priorities? The answer will help you determine more clearly the location you want and the pace of your trip.

More destinations for planning your trip: Carmignano, Poggio A Caiano, Montemurlo, Vernio, Prato, Cantagallo, Vaiano, Colle.

To the higher-level travel overview: Prato.