Barberino di Mugello
Barberino di Mugello occupies the western part of the Mugello valley. The main river that crosses the valley is the Sieve, which rises right in the municipal territory in the area of Montecuccoli (Caposieve). The natural characteristics have favored human presence since prehistoric times. Recent excavations for the Bilancino reservoir have brought to light traces of a seasonal hunters' camp dating back to about 30,000 years ago. According to tradition, the tribe Ligurian Magelli was the first to inhabit the area, but it is believed that other peoples already resided permanently in the area before the Etruscan invasion. In Barberino there remains the memory of an ancient Roman road, first Etruscan, which passed through this territory and stopped in Vigesimo in the twentieth milestone (ad vigesimum lapidem) that the Romans had placed on the road that went from Florence to Fiesole and led to Emilia-Romagna through the Croci di Combiate where there is evidence of the presence of the Roman people: fragments of vases, remains of walls. It is certain that on the right bank of the Stura torrent there was the village of Vigesimo which is the origin of the village of Barberino. The village of Vigesimo coincides with the place where the homonymous abbey of Santa Maria a Vigesimo also stands which, in the 2000s, was has undergone a significant restoration project that also changed its function from a religious to a residential site. In fact, this abbey was founded by San Giovanni Gualberto in the 11th century as a hospice for wayfarers who passed in the direction of the Futa Pass. Inside the complex there was a cloister with a well, an excellent example of abbey architecture, of which today, after the aforementioned intervention, no memory remains. The center of Barberino di Mugello was born in the Middle Ages with the construction of the Futa road, soon becoming an important economic hub. The name derives from the coat of arms of the Cattani di Combiate family, depicting a man with three beards, who is credited with building the Barberino Castle in the 11th century. The period of greatest splendor occurred under the Medici rule in the 16th century.
A site of great interest is Lake Bilancino, an artificial basin created with the aim of regulating the flooding of the Sieve and Arno rivers and of acting as a water reserve for Florence. Over the years, the lake has also taken on a strong tourist value, becoming an important destination for sports and recreational activities. The dam project dates back to the 1950s, but construction began in the 1980s and was completed in 1996, with opening to the public in 1999. In the lake area there is a WWF nature reserve, which extends for twenty-five hectares between the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines and the Calvana mountains. The area is surrounded by woods, cultivated areas and pastures, hosting numerous animal species such as woodcocks, thrushes, ducks, pink flamingos, white storks, river nightingales, hawks and buzzards.
Among the people who made it famous, in addition to having the Medici family as its origins, Bartolomeo Corsini, (1606-1673), a poet considered the most talented of Mugello for his heroic-comic poem Torracchione desolato, which tells of a burlesque war in the Mugello valley. On January 4, 1903, the Teatro Comunale di Barberino was named after him; Gastone Nencini (1930-1980), cycling champion, winner of the Giro d’Italia in 1957 and the Tour de France in 1960. In 2007, on the occasion of the Barberino di Mugello-Fiorano Modenese stage of the 90th Giro d’Italia, he was posthumously awarded the honor "Barba d’Oro"; Giuliano Vangi (1931-), internationally renowned sculptor and painter. On 17 June 2007 he received the honor "Barba d’Oro" and in 2015 the Giuliano Vangi Permanent Collection was inaugurated, housed on the second floor of the Palazzo Pretorio.
Borgo San Lorenzo
Borgo San Lorenzo, located in the heart of Mugello, is a town with a rich and fascinating past. Its origins date back to ancient times, with prehistoric settlements documented in the vicinity of Ronta. As early as the 2nd century BC, the Romans settled in the area, creating the village of Anneianum, along the road that connected Florence to Faenza. In the Middle Ages, Borgo San Lorenzo was initially part of the Ubaldini possessions, before passing under the control of the Bishop of Florence, as demonstrated by a contract from 941 in which the church of San Lorenzo in Mugello is mentioned. The strategic position of the village, which stood on an important crossroads, contributed to its growth as a commercial hub, so much so that it became one of the main markets in the area. Starting from the 13th century, Borgo San Lorenzo developed under the jurisdiction of the Florentine Republic, and in 1300 it was surrounded by defensive walls to protect it from conflicts with the Ghibellines. Over the years, the village became a point of reference for the entire valley, with civil power exercised by the Bishop's Vicar and the presence of a Podestà sent by the city of Florence. Among the most significant events, we remember the sieges suffered during the struggles between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, such as the one in 1303, and the assault in 1440 by Niccolò Piccinino, an ally of the Albizi against the Medici, who however failed to conquer the village. During the siege of Florence, between 1529 and 1530, Borgo San Lorenzo was occupied by a captain of fortune who transformed it into an arsenal for the construction of weapons of war. With the fall of the Florentine Republic, the village became part of the Medici principality, marking a new phase in its history. Today Borgo San Lorenzo is a place that retains the charm of its past, with monuments such as the Pieve di San Lorenzo, historic buildings and the beautiful Palazzo Pecori Giraldi, now home to museums and cultural activities. cultural.
Dicomano
Dicomano, located in a strategic position at the crossroads between Mugello, Valdisieve and the Apennines, stands along the left bank of the Sieve river, at the point where the Comano torrent, with its waters that descend from the Falterona group, flows into it. Its territory, characterized by a landscape that alternates valley bottoms, hills and mountains, is rich in chestnut, Turkey oak and beech woods. The origins of the village are very ancient and, although it has not been established with certainty whether its name derives from the Comano river or from a Roman fortified camp crossed by a decumanus, the Etruscan presence is attested by the archaeological excavations of Frascole, which brought to light a votive altar and numerous finds now preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Dicomano. Later, in Roman times, the village was located along important communication routes between the Val di Sieve and Casentino, consolidating its role as a commercial hub and military center. During the Middle Ages, Dicomano was the domain of the Guidi Counts, a powerful feudal family that controlled much of Tuscany, until it came under the influence of the Florentine Republic in the 13th century, becoming part of the Florentine countryside. The village developed around the Romanesque parish church of Santa Maria, one of the most ancient settlements in the area, and its mercantile function made it an important point of reference for trade between Florence, Mugello and Romagna. This past has left a profound mark on the identity of the town, whose open and hospitable character reflects its history as a cultural crossroads. During the Second World War, Dicomano suffered heavy bombing in 1944 in the context of the German retreat along the Gothic Line, an event that profoundly affected the local community. Today the village retains the charm of its history, with a center characterized by medieval and Renaissance buildings that bear witness to its past and its evolution over the centuries.
Firenzuola
Firenzuola is a municipality located in the upper valley of the Santerno river, on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Its territory, immersed in the suggestive mountains of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, is part of the metropolitan city of Florence. The name "Firenzuola" means "little Florence" and was chosen by will of the Florentine Republic, which in 1306 founded the town as a military outpost (Terra Nova) to protect the northern border from the feudal lords of Romagna. The village was fortified with walls, towers and an imposing fortress, becoming an important bastion of Florence in the Apennines.
During the Second World War, Firenzuola was heavily bombed due to its position along the Gothic Line, suffering extensive damage. After the war, the town was rebuilt, maintaining the charm of its medieval structure. Firenzuola is located on the border between the Tuscan and Romagna cultures, and this is also reflected in the dialect spoken by the inhabitants. The Firenzuola vernacular in fact presents both Tuscan and Emilian influences, with words and inflections that recall both regions. The cuisine of Firenzuola reflects the mountain tradition and the Tuscan-Romagna influence, with simple dishes but with an authentic flavor.
Firenzuola, despite having been rebuilt after the war, preserves numerous places of historical and cultural interest. The Rocca di Firenzuola: an imposing medieval fortification built by the Florentines to defend the territory. Today it houses the Pietra Serena Museum, dedicated to the processing of local stone. The Church of San Giovanni Battista: rebuilt after the bombings of the Second World War, it preserves some valuable works of art.
Firenzuola is the town of Pietra Serena: the true "wealth" of Firenzuola. Pietra Serena is a gray-blue sandstone rock, highly appreciated for its elegance and resistance. Used since the Renaissance for construction and architectural decorations, this stone is inextricably linked to Tuscany and, in particular, to the city of Florence. The quarries of Firenzuola, located in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, are among the most important for the extraction of Pietra Serena. Here you can find a prized variant called Pietra Serena Extra Dura, characterized by greater compactness and resistance to atmospheric agents compared to traditional Pietra Serena.
This stone has been used in numerous historic buildings, including the columns and decorative elements of the Uffizi in Florence, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, with Brunelleschi's architectural masterpieces, the stairways and loggias of Florentine Renaissance palaces. Even today, Pietra Serena is highly sought after in street furniture, in the creation of flooring, fountains, fireplaces and sculptures. Firenzuola boasts a long tradition of stonemasons, craftsmen specialized in stone working. Their mastery is passed down from generation to generation, keeping alive an art that requires patience, skill and knowledge of materials. The stonemasons work Pietra Serena with both traditional and modern techniques, and in the village there are still artisan workshops where it is possible to see the stonemasons at work and purchase unique pieces made to measure. One of the most modern and prestigious examples of the use of Pietra Serena is in Apple stores around the world. The British architect Norman Foster, in charge of the design of the Apple Stores, chose Pietra Serena Extra Dura di Firenzuola for the floors and some furnishings. Apple required an elegant and durable material, in line with its minimalist and refined design philosophy. Pietra Serena di Firenzuola, with its neutral tone and uniform surface, proved to be perfect for this purpose. This collaboration has given new visibility to the Pietra Serena. at Pietra Serena in Firenzuola, consolidating its international prestige.
Marradi
Marradi is a charming village located in the upper Lamone Valley, on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Thanks to its position, Marradi has always been a point of connection between Romagna and Mugello. Surrounded by woods and hills, the village offers breathtaking landscapes, particularly evocative in autumn, when the chestnut forests are tinged with warm colors and the village celebrates the Marrone di Marradi, its most famous product. famous.
The toponym Marradi could derive from the Latin “Marratus”, a proper name for a person, or from the term marra, which indicates a worked land. The history of the village has its roots in Roman times, but it is in the Middle Ages that Marradi takes on a strategic role. Situated along the ancient communication route between Florence and Romagna, the area was long disputed between powerful feudal families, including the Ubaldini and the Conti Guidi. In 1350 Marradi came under the control of Florence and remained linked to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany until the unification of Italy. In the 19th century, thanks to the construction of the Faentina railway, the village became an important railway hub for trade and tourism. During the Second World War, the town suffered serious damage due to Allied bombing, being located along the Gothic Line.
The most illustrious of Marradi is undoubtedly Dino Campana (1885-1932), a visionary poet and author of the Canti Orfici. His troubled existence and his poetry, full of evocative images and references to nature and the Apennine landscapes, have made Marradi a place of pilgrimage for literature enthusiasts. Dino Campana, who was arrested several times in Marradi for vagrancy and disturbing the public peace. Another important name is that of Cardinal Domenico Orsini d'Aragona, who lived in the 18th century and played a prominent role in the Catholic Church. Marradi played a significant role during the Italian Risorgimento, especially for its strategic position along the routes that connected Tuscany to Romagna. One of the most significant events was the passage of Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1849, during his escape after the fall of the Roman Republic. Garibaldi, after crossing Tuscany and Mugello, arrived near Marradi accompanied by Giovannina Bonicelli, one of the women who assisted him along the journey. Here he found support from some inhabitants who sympathized with the cause of unity and who, risking their lives, helped him continue his journey towards Emilia. In 1860, with the unification of Italy ever closer, many young people from Marradi volunteered in the ranks of Garibaldi's army to participate in the Expedition of the Thousand and the wars of independence.
Marradi, being on the border between two regions, presents an interesting linguistic mix. The local dialect is Tuscan in basis but with strong influences from Romagna, especially in phonetics and vocabulary. This link with Romagna is also reflected in the culture and gastronomic traditions of the town. Marradi is famous for the production of Marrone del Mugello IGP, one of the most prized chestnut varieties in Italy. Every October the Chestnut Festival is held, with food stands where you can taste tortelli di marroni, marron glacé, castagnaccio, chestnut flour, used for sweet polenta and necci or liquors and artisanal beers made with chestnuts. In addition to chestnuts, Marradi cuisine offers traditional Tuscan and Romagna dishes, such as tortelli di patate, game, porcini mushrooms and formaggio di fossa.
In Marradi you can find the house of Dino Campana, located in the historic center, and a small museum dedicated to the life and works of the poet; the Teatro degli Animosi built in 1792, and one of the oldest theaters in the Apennines, with an elegant Italian-style hall; the Abbey of Santa Reparata: an ancient monastic complex located in the surrounding area, which dates back to the 12th century; the church of San Lorenzo: built in the 16th century, it preserves valuable works of art and the Marradi bridge, a medieval structure that crosses the Lamone river, symbol of the town.
Palazzuolo
Palazzuolo sul Senio is a charming medieval village that preserves its authenticity intact. Located in the Senio valley, on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, Palazzuolo is a place rich in history, culture and traditions, ideal for lovers of nature, trekking and good food.
The origins of Palazzuolo date back to the early Middle Ages, when its strategic position along the communication routes between Florence and Bologna made it a point of reference for travellers and traders. In the 13th century, the village came under the control of the powerful Ubaldini family, who dominated the Apennine area between Tuscany and Romagna. The Malatesta and the Medici later fought over this territory for its military and economic importance. During the Renaissance, the town was involved in the battles between Florence and Bologna, becoming an outpost contested between the two cities. Only in the 18th century did it become permanently part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, always maintaining a strong cultural link with Romagna.
Palazzuolo sul Senio is one of the few Tuscan villages where a dialect with strong influences from Romagna is spoken. The border position has contributed to a cultural fusion between the two regions, which can be found not only in the language but also in the traditions, cuisine and local festivities.
Walking through Palazzuolo sul Senio you are immediately captured by its medieval atmosphere, with narrow paved streets, stone houses and ancient towers that tell the story of the village's past. Piazza Garibaldi, the beating heart of the village, is home to the Church of Santo Stefano, built in the Middle Ages and remodeled several times over the centuries. Near the square there are elegant buildings and charming porticos, under which overlook artisan workshops and trattorias offering local specialties. The village is dominated by the Rocca degli Ubaldini, an imposing fortified structure that served as a strategic garrison and which today offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys. Descending towards the Senio River, the landscape changes and becomes even more evocative. The river, which rises in the Apennines and crosses the village with its clear waters, has shaped the valley over the centuries, creating corners of rare beauty. In the warmer months, the river becomes a point of reference for those seeking refreshment, with small fords and natural pools perfect for a relaxing break. Along its banks there are paths ideal for excursions on foot and by bicycle, which lead to chestnut groves, beech forests and ancient mills now in disuse, witnesses of the agricultural past of the area.
Palazzuolo sul Senio boasts a historical and architectural heritage of great value. Among the most significant places to visit: the Archaeological Museum of Alto Mugello which collects medieval and Renaissance finds that tell the history of the area, the Museum of Mountain People, a fascinating journey to discover the traditions and way of life of the Apennine populations.
The cuisine of Palazzuolo sul Senio reflects the fusion between Tuscan and Romagna traditions. Among the typical dishes and local products, the potato tortelli, polenta with mushrooms and wild boar, chestnuts and the Marroni del Mugello PGI, used to prepare traditional desserts such as castagnaccio, artisanal cheeses and cured meats, honey and porcini mushrooms, stand out.
San Godenzo
San Godenzo is an ancient village located in the mountains of the upper Mugello, on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, at the foot of the Muraglione pass and Mount Falterona, between Valdarno and Valdisieve, immersed in the beech and chestnut woods of the Apennines. The town owes its name to the ancient Benedictine abbey, built in 1028 by the bishop of Fiesole, Jacopo il Bavaro, to honor the places where, in the 6th century, the hermit San Gaudenzio used to retreat in prayer and silence. The abbey, entrusted to the Benedictine monks, still represents the monument of main interest in the place. A significant episode in the history of San Godenzo is linked to Dante Alighieri: on 8 June 1302, inside the abbey, he met Florentine exiles with the intention of planning their return to Florence, an attempt that, however, soon went up in smoke. Over the centuries, around the nascent town, the monks interacted with the vast expanses of woodland, creating reserves of wood that would later supply Tuscany throughout its history. The area, characterized by beech trees and splendid chestnut groves, is home to centuries-old chestnut tree crops that have always been the basis of the mountain inhabitants' diet. As evidence of the cultural and artistic liveliness of the area, in the hamlet of Castagno, immersed in a chestnut grove, the painter Andrea, known precisely as "del Castagno", was born in the 15th century. The fame that the painter achieved with his artistic activity led the village to change its name to Il Castagno d'Andrea, keeping alive the memory of its illustrious fellow citizen. Today, from the hamlet of Castagno d’Andrea, you can access one of the entrances to the Casentinesi Forests, Monte Falterona, Campigna National Park, established in 1993 and included in 2017 by UNESCO among the protected areas due to the great value of the ancient beech forests of Fratino and the Casentinesi biogenetic reserves.
Scarperia and San Piero
The Municipality of Scarperia and San Piero was born in 2014 from the merger of the Municipalities of Scarperia and San Piero a Sieve.
San Piero a Sieve, a historic village in the heart of Mugello, has a history that has been intertwined with the events of Tuscany since ancient times. The oldest traces of human presence date back to the Middle Paleolithic, with findings of flint stone tools in places such as Lucigliano, Toro and Le Mozzete. However, it is the presence of the Etruscans marks a crucial moment, with discoveries such as the archaic tomb of Mozzete and a necropolis dug in the Monti area, dating back to the 7th century BC. The subsequent Roman domination left indelible marks, including toponyms and other finds that testify to the colonization of the area. In the Middle Ages, the village developed as a very important road junction, located along the ancient road that crossed the Apennines, a strategic point for trade and exchanges between Florence and Bologna. The first urban agglomeration, which formed around the ancient bridge over the Sieve and the parish church of San Pietro, took the name of Villa Sevae in 1105, and then definitively became San Piero a Sieve in 1117. The village was initially under the control of the powerful Ubaldini family, before passing under the dominion of the Florentine Republic. The strategic importance of San Piero a Sieve as a transit point and livestock market favored its economic and social development. During the Medici period, the village experienced a phase of expansion, becoming an important center under the protection of the Medici. The Medici also promoted the construction of a brick bridge over the Sieve, which consolidated the role of San Piero as a stopping point for travelers and traders. The Medici policy also led to the creation of hospitals and facilities for welcoming pilgrims. The Renaissance period marked the maximum prestige for the village, with the construction of villas and the economic support that allowed the development of activities such as the dishware factory, which became very famous. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, San Piero a Sieve allied itself with Giovanni de' Medici during the siege of Scarperia and became the capital of the Tagliaferro league, unifying the surrounding territories. Over the following centuries, however, the village experienced periods of decline, especially from the end of the 15th century, with the disinterest of the Medici and the subsequent submission to the Vicariate of Scarperia. The construction of the Medici fortress in 1569 marked a recovery, which however was followed by a long period of stagnation during the rule of the Habsburg-Lorraine and the French in the 17th century. Only with the return of the Lorena and the construction of new roads, such as the Muraglione and the Futa, did San Piero a Sieve experience a new phase of economic and social growth. The 19th century saw the village reborn thanks to the construction of the railway station, which favored trade and the transit of people and goods. Characters such as Count Luigi Guglielmo Cambray-Digny, who contributed to the development of the town, contributed to the development of the town. to the agricultural development of Mugello, and the doctor Pietro Cipriani, who distinguished himself during the Risorgimento, left an indelible mark on local history. In the 20th century, San Piero a Sieve also experienced the effects of world conflicts, with the active participation of the community in the Resistance and the controversial figure of Francesco Giunta, a fascist hierarch.
Born as Castel San Barnaba, the town of Scarperia changed its name following a historical and linguistic evolution: the term "Scarperia" derives from the word "scarpa", referring to a slope at the foot of the Apennines, and the addition of "ria" could derive from the ancient adjective "hostile" in ancient Italian. Another hypothesis, although less accredited, linked it to the Etruscan name "Scarpius", but this theory has now been abandoned. Some have also suggested a commercial origin, linked to the activity of shoemakers, but this hypothesis has also never been confirmed. In 1306, after the defeat of the Ubaldini, the feudal lords of Mugello, the Council of One Hundred of the Florentine Republic decided to found a fortified citadel in a strategic position on the Via Bolognese, at the foot of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, to protect Florence from attacks from the north. On 20 April of the same year, the foundation act of Castel San Barnaba was sanctioned, whose name paid homage to the saint of 11 June and the Guelph victory at Campaldino. The foundation took place officially on 7 September 1306. In the first decades, the town developed around the Montaccianico Castle, destroyed in the summer of 1306, and the Palazzo del Capitano della Terra Nova, which during the fifteenth century was expanded to become an imposing noble palace. In 1415, a decree of the Florentine Republic transformed Castel San Barnaba was the seat of the Vicariate, entrusted to a Vicar appointed by the Republic, who administered the village with both political and judicial functions. This new administrative role, together with a ten-year exemption from taxes and duties, encouraged population growth and the flourishing of shops, hotels and taverns. Thanks to its position along the road that led to the Giogo Pass, Scarperia became an important stopping point for those crossing the Apennines. Local craftsmanship, particularly in the production of knives and cutting tools, earned an excellent reputation. In the eighteenth century, with the arrival of the Lorena family, Scarperia experienced a rapid decline, due in part to the opening of the Futa carriage road in 1752, which moved commercial traffic away from the town. During the nineteenth century, to adapt to the new situation, gates and walls that limited access to the historic center were torn down, in an attempt to beautify the appearance of the village. However, the economic crisis worsened in 1908 with the introduction of the Giolitti law that prohibited the trade and carrying of switchblades longer than the palm of the hand, severely affecting the typical craftsmanship of the country. Despite this, the tradition of Scarperia knives has survived to the present day, thanks to the quality of the materials and workmanship, and is today one of the main jewels in the crown of the village, still appreciated by collectors. During the Second World War, Scarperia was one of the Tuscan municipalities designated as a place of internment for foreign Jews and political dissidents. Among the most interned were: Among the known members of a Slavic family accused of anti-Italian activities, a fervent communist, Umano Pozzoni, and a stateless Jew, Leone Smulevich, who, after September 8, 1943, found refuge in the surrounding areas, such as Firenzuola. Today Scarperia is recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a place that preserves its identity historical and artisanal, welcoming every year numerous visitors who come to admire its historic center, its traditions and the natural beauties that surround it.
Vicchio
Vicchio, a charming village in Mugello, is a place with an ancient and fascinating history, whose origins date back to Etruscan settlements, as demonstrated by the important archaeological excavations of Poggio Colla conducted by American universities. Its official foundation dates back to 1295, when the Florentine Republic built the Montesassi bridge, today known as Ponte a Vicchio, thus favoring the birth of the first inhabited nucleus called Vico, from which the current name derives. In 1308 the Podestà of Florence, Ugolino de Bittonio, ratified the construction of a fortified village, completed in 1324 with the erection of the walls, sanctioning the definitive entry of Vicchio into the Florentine countryside. The town developed further welcoming the populations of Ampinana and the fortresses of Belfonte and Gattaia and became the seat of a Podestà with its own statute, drawn up in 1413 by Coluccio Salutati. Vicchio always remained faithful to the Florentine Republic, even during the siege of 1529 by the imperial and Spanish troops of Clement VII, who invaded the Mugello to conquer Florence. After months of resistance, in 1530 the village was conquered by the forces of the Prince of Orange. The role of Vicchio in history was also strengthened during the Second World War, when on 6 March 1944 the partisans liberated the town, unleashing the violent reaction of the Nazi-Fascist troops with reprisals and massacres, including the shooting of five young farmers on 22 March and the Padulivo massacre in July of the same year. For the sacrifice of its citizens, in 2003 President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi awarded Vicchio the Silver Medal for Civil Merit. The village is also famous for being the birthplace of prominent figures in the history of art and culture: Giotto di Bondone, born in Colle di Vespignano around 1267, whose birthplace is now a museum, and Beato Angelico, who according to tradition was born in the hamlet of San Michele a Rupecanina and to whom the Museum of Sacred Art and Popular Religiosity is dedicated. Other illustrious figures linked to Vicchio are Benvenuto Cellini, who lived in the historic center and whose house today houses a goldsmith's art school, and Don Lorenzo Milani, parish priest of Barbiana until 1967, known for his commitment to education and social justice, buried in the small cemetery of the church of Barbiana. In addition to its rich history, Vicchio offers a lively cultural scene with events such as the Giotto Jazz Festival and the Fiera Calda, which has its origins in the Middle Ages.