If you’re holidaying in the valley of Casentino in Tuscany then perhaps taking a few day trips around the region would be an excellent way to see all that this abundant area has to offer! There are plenty of gorgeous luxury villas and farmhouses available for visitors to rent and enjoy relaxing in for their stay here. About twenty minutes drive from the large town of Bibbiena is the town of Pratovecchio. The centre of this charming commune is named Piazza Paolo Uccello, after the great Renaissance artist who was born here in 1397. There are two monasteries in this town; a monastery of the Camaldoli Monks which was founded by the Guidi Counts in the 12th century and the monastery of the Dominican monks of Santa Maria della Neve in the 16th century.
Pratovecchio is famous for its exquisite Tuscan dishes. Why not stay for lunch here in a restaurant called ‘La Tana Degli Orsi’ which has been well reviewed by visitors. Try a popular dish called ‘Tortelli sulla Lastra’ which is essentially a large ravioli stuffed with a mixture of pumpkin, garlic, bacon, potato and percorino.
Pratovecchio is famous for its exquisite Tuscan dishes. Why not stay for lunch here in a restaurant called ‘La Tana Degli Orsi’ which has been well reviewed by visitors. Try a popular dish called ‘Tortelli sulla Lastra’ which is essentially a large ravioli stuffed with a mixture of pumpkin, garlic, bacon, potato and percorino.
Red Cetica potatoes grow well in this region and are used in traditional Tuscan dishes like ‘Tortelli alla Lastra’ and Gnocchi which can also be found on the menu. For dessert, try some homemade Italian ice-cream with some delicious ‘melata d’abete’ drizzled over it.
‘Melata d’abete’ is the sweet fragrant honeydew of the fir tree which is savoured by the people of Casentino. It’s dark brown in colour with a green tinge and has a unique sweet and tangy quality.
Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the splendid art filled church of Santa Maria Assunta.
A hillside path leading out of the village leads to the remains of the Castle of Romena which gazes over the valley at a height of six hundred metres. It still emanates a certain air of greatness despite being reduced to ruins by a fearsome earthquake in 1579 Just a few minutes’ walk from the castle is the parish church of San Pietro a Romena dating from the 12th century. The visitor will be astounded at the ornate architecture and symbolism paintings within its walls.
‘Melata d’abete’ is the sweet fragrant honeydew of the fir tree which is savoured by the people of Casentino. It’s dark brown in colour with a green tinge and has a unique sweet and tangy quality.
Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the splendid art filled church of Santa Maria Assunta.
A hillside path leading out of the village leads to the remains of the Castle of Romena which gazes over the valley at a height of six hundred metres. It still emanates a certain air of greatness despite being reduced to ruins by a fearsome earthquake in 1579 Just a few minutes’ walk from the castle is the parish church of San Pietro a Romena dating from the 12th century. The visitor will be astounded at the ornate architecture and symbolism paintings within its walls.
Less than ten kilometres drive from Pratovecchio is the town of Stia. In this small commune, there awaits a great deal for the tourist to explore! Only a few kilometres outside of the town is the 11th century castle of Porciano, around which the hamlet of Porciano is settled.
The castle is in ruins now but there’s a nearby museum containing information on its history as well as antiques farm machinery and tools, medieval crockery and other fascinating artefacts discovered around this area by archaeologists. There’s also the castle of ‘Urbech that belonged to the Guidi Counts.
There’s a museum here that provide the visitor which intriguing information about the woodlands and mountains of the region. Also there’s a museum dedicated to teaching visitors about the history of skiing in this region as well as other cultivation practices of the people here that have barely changed through the ages.
Stia is renowned all over for its artisans of wrought iron welding. Every year the ‘National Biennial Exhibition of Metalwork’ is held here every odd year where there’s a week’s worth of demonstrations, competitions and showcasing.
A day trip around this part of the Casentino region is sure be one of enjoyment and learning; it’s the perfect way to explore Italy at its best!
The castle is in ruins now but there’s a nearby museum containing information on its history as well as antiques farm machinery and tools, medieval crockery and other fascinating artefacts discovered around this area by archaeologists. There’s also the castle of ‘Urbech that belonged to the Guidi Counts.
There’s a museum here that provide the visitor which intriguing information about the woodlands and mountains of the region. Also there’s a museum dedicated to teaching visitors about the history of skiing in this region as well as other cultivation practices of the people here that have barely changed through the ages.
Stia is renowned all over for its artisans of wrought iron welding. Every year the ‘National Biennial Exhibition of Metalwork’ is held here every odd year where there’s a week’s worth of demonstrations, competitions and showcasing.
A day trip around this part of the Casentino region is sure be one of enjoyment and learning; it’s the perfect way to explore Italy at its best!
Photo credits
picture 2: Vignaccia76 / CC BY-SA;
picture 3: Nimue / CC BY-SA
picture 2: Vignaccia76 / CC BY-SA;
picture 3: Nimue / CC BY-SA
