t’s Sunday, you weren’t able to sleep late because obviously you woke up at 8 am, you’ve already had breakfast… what are you going to do?

or

It’s Sunday, you would like to be in touch with nature (but not too much) you are not a super sportive one (like to do 8 hours of walking) what are you going to do?

I have the solution for you! I tested it on my skin.

On Sunday I wanted to go with my partner to walk on Pratomagno (his idea) and we saw on internet the path to “La Croce di Pratomagno

The Pratomagno is the mountain that divides the Casentino from the Upper Valdarno and from every point of its ridge it is possible to observe both valleys. Casentino and Valdarno divided, but at the same time united by the Pratomagno.

Not having enough time to do it, the sky heralded the end of the world (rain) but we discovered (or it was discovered, I like to think) the indications for the Abbey of Santa Trinità. You must know that as soon as I see the hint of a medieval church, my heart starts beating. So, seeing the signs we ventured.

Leave your car comfortably in this “parking lot” (google maps) and simply follow the path. It is suitable for everyone, from sportsmen to couch potatoes, I can tell you that the route is very pleasant. We also saw people with dogs!

The abbey is now a ruin, but the apse can be admired and its original shape can be understood a little, obviously modified over time, I imagine to give it other uses, as often happens with such ancient buildings.

The year of its foundation dates back to 960. Santa Trinità in Alpe was not only a religious place, it was also a center of culture and hospice for travelers. From its location it may seem a pleasant and remote place, at the time the area was cut by many connecting roads.

From here you can go further, there are all the CAI signs (those red and white stripes) that are used to follow the routes, or you can go back as we did.

P.S. NB … but please, take your time to return, don’t be like us who walked the way back in half the set time only to arrive in time for lunch, which by the way was wonderful in a cozy place where we tasted the real Tuscan cuisine (not to say, it’s true).

 Do you want to know where it is and the name? Contact me.

Truffle hunt in Tuscany

We all are (I am!) in LOVE with truffles: in pasta, on meat or on a simple piece of bread. It doesn't matter how it is presented, it is a delight. In 2022, the price of the white truffle, the most valuable of all due to its rarity, was over five thousand euro per...

Art is not boring

On April 8, 1820, the beautiful and enigmatic Venus de Milo was found on the island of Milo in Greece. Now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It’s the most famous statue in the world and one of the most revered goddesses of classical antiquity. You can also call...

Which leaning tower? We have three!

A select few (or rather, a few curious ones) know that in Pisa we not only have the famous leaning tower, which became even more famous in January 2020 when it was also photographed from Corsica 190 km away, ... but we have three! During my tours I always jokingly...

There’s not only the Devil’s Bridge

All those who take the highway to go to the sea see that wonderful aqueduct that accompanies travelers by car for a few seconds. Few people know that it was built by the great architect from Segromigno – Lucca, Lorenzo Nottolini. That aqueduct in 1833 will bring clean...

Fina from San Gimignano

You can’t say you know San Gimignano if you don’t know who Santa Fina is. Serafina or Iosefina Ciardi, for friends Fina, is a very young blessed who lived in the mid-1200s. From an early age she cultivated a great devotion to the Madonna, in fact it is said that she...

“I don’t know where to go” is no longer an excuse

In full heat and with the fear of a faint, we arrived in Buggiano Castello. What to say? after facing the super climb you say “wow, it was worth it”. Also known as the “Borgo degli citrus” because it enjoys a particularly mild microclimate. Focus and admire the...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

A village inhabited since prehistoric times and known thanks to its thermal baths, San Giuliano is located in a favorable geographical position: in the province of Pisa and at the same time not far from Lucca. The main attraction is undoubtedly the establishment of...

The curious case of Colle Val d’Elsa

There are villages that do not exist … yes, this sentence made me laugh but unfortunately it has something of reality. While looking for a village to combine with a guided tour while going to San Gimignano I found Colle Val d’Elsa, one of these jewel-like villages...

The Holy Face, no longer just a legend

Also known as the “black Christ of Lucca” (for the color of the dark brown wood), it is an imposing wooden crucifix of 2.24 meters which, according to the legend of the writer Deacon Leobino, would be the true and only face of Christ. Arrived to us, well in 2020...

Italy as we know it

Italy is divided into 20 regions (use this official link Italia.it to know the “boot”) The total land area of Italy is approximately 301,328 square kilometres. The regions are divided into provinces, 110 in all, varying dramatically in size. Tuscany it’s a REGION....
en_US