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Things to see in Figline Valdarno near Florence

In the big square Marsilio Ficino, built in 1200 as "mercatale", i.e. the place for the local market, there are the Collegiata di Santa Maria (collegiate church of Saint Mary) and the old Spedale Serristori (Hospital of Serristori). The circle of walls, which is almost completely preserved, was built between 1356 and 1375. There are also many intact towers, while today the medieval "cassero" (donjon)is the theatre of Garbali.

The collegiate of Santa Maria was founded in 1257 and it was at first a simple country church and later promoted to collegiate church according to the will of Pope Alessandro VI Borgia; it was originally built in gothic style, but later modified throughout centuries. Inside, it is interesting to see a glazed earthenware San Giuseppe by Andrea Della Robbia, the fourteenth-century "Maestà" by the master of Figline and an interesting museum of sacred art.

The Praetorian Building is a fourteenth century monument that was modified and partly rebuilt according to the medieval style between 1924 and 1931 by Ezio Cepri. This building has many coats of arms of the Podestas and many inscriptions with their names. Next door, there is the Torre Merlata (embattled tower), that preexisted the Praetorian building itself, where you'll find a fourteenth-century bell that has got an inscription about a ghibelline defeat; in the chapel at the feet of the tower a glazed earthenware by Benedetto Buglioli represents a Madonna on the throne.

In this area stands the gothic church of San Francesco, documented since 1229, which shows on its facade many remains of an original black and white bichrome, typical of the fourteenth-century buildings in Tuscany. under the tabernacle, there is a fourteenth-century statue of the Madonna and child.

In Castelguinelli street stands the Casagrande Serristori, a building complex that was already occupied by the Serristoris, the hegemonic family of Figline. By asking at the restaurant it is possible to visit the courtyard of the building, open air with double Renaissance portico, on an Italian garden, protected by the city walls and by a high tower. Pieve Romanica di San Romolo a Gaville (romanesque parish country church of San Romolo a Gaville): documented since 1007, it stands on a preexistent building and on a roman sighting tower.

Near the presbytery, it is possible to visit the Museo della Civiltà Contadina (Museum of Rural Culture). Here are also itineraries that can be followed by bicycle; in fact there is a cycle path that links the southern area of Fig line with the northern part of San Giovanni Volcano, in the district of Rizzo, with a track that goes along the river Arnos.

An interesting track for those who love wine is the strata Del Vine Coli Florentine (street of Wine of Coli Florentine), that runs through the municipal territory. The state district of Castiglioni-Gaville covers an area of 116 km, given over to the region for purpose.

Green Walking Paths
-the natural area of Garzaia, along the left side of Arno;
-in Restone,a resting place for many kinds of migratory of birds;
-the area of the so called Lakes of Figline;
-the area of Garzaia, made up of many little lakes;
-the municipal street of Castello di Celle-Badia Montescaleri an old medieval street that leads up to the wood.
-In the area of Incisa and Rignano.
-In the area of Pratomagno.

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