Figline and Incisa Valdarno

What to see in Figline and Incisa Valdarno

The central Piazza Marsilio Ficino, which was designed as a traditional market square and is named after the famous humanist, is the perfect place to start your visit to Figline. From here you can easily reach the thirteenth-century collegiate church of Santa Maria, which has a rich museum of sacred art containing paintings, sacred furnishings, vestments and illuminated manuscripts. A late sixteenth century panel of the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, which has been attributed to Cigoli, is particularly noteworthy.

The harmonious Palazzo Pretorio, a fifteenth-century building enriched by a crenellated tower and various coats of arms on the façade, is also nearby. Inside are an ancient bell from 1384 and a glazed terracotta by Benedetto Buglioni. Outside the palace you can see the loggia of the church attached to the convent of San Francesco, with its two-tone façade and frescoed lunettes.

Even if you move away from the centre, superb landmarks are still easily within reach. Travelling back in time to ancient trades and ways of life, you’ll find yourself in Gaville's Museum of Peasant Civilisation. More like a house than a museum, you’ll be able to rediscover old lifestyles indicative of local rural culture.

You can visit Petrarch’s House in Incisa, where the great poet lived until the age of seven. The house, situated in the upper part of the village, plays host to temporary and permanent exhibitions. The church of San Cosma and San Damiano is also well worth a visit. The building, which has been around since the early fourteenth century, was later equipped with an imposing portico for pilgrims and underwent a remodelling in the eighteenth century, during which a beautiful choir and a carved and gilded organ loft were added.

The central Piazza Marsilio Ficino, which was designed as a traditional market square and is named after the famous humanist, is the perfect place to start your visit to Figline. From here you can easily reach the thirteenth-century collegiate church of Santa Maria, which has a rich museum of sacred art containing paintings, sacred furnishings, vestments and illuminated manuscripts. A late sixteenth century panel of the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, which has been attributed to Cigoli, is particularly noteworthy.

The harmonious Palazzo Pretorio, a fifteenth-century building enriched by a crenellated tower and various coats of arms on the façade, is also nearby. Inside are an ancient bell from 1384 and a glazed terracotta by Benedetto Buglioni. Outside the palace you can see the loggia of the church attached to the convent of San Francesco, with its two-tone façade and frescoed lunettes.

Even if you move away from the centre, superb landmarks are still easily within reach. Travelling back in time to ancient trades and ways of life, you’ll find yourself in Gaville's Museum of Peasant Civilisation. More like a house than a museum, you’ll be able to rediscover old lifestyles indicative of local rural culture.

You can visit Petrarch’s House in Incisa, where the great poet lived until the age of seven. The house, situated in the upper part of the village, plays host to temporary and permanent exhibitions. The church of San Cosma and San Damiano is also well worth a visit. The building, which has been around since the early fourteenth century, was later equipped with an imposing portico for pilgrims and underwent a remodelling in the eighteenth century, during which a beautiful choir and a carved and gilded organ loft were added.

Nearby

Immerse yourself in the full beauty of the Tuscan countryside, only a few miles from Florence. The woods of Reggello are perfect for surrounding yourself with a quiet, relaxing environment. After a visit to Vallombrosa, where nature and abbeys come together, take a break in one of the many trattorias with rustic and genuine souls.

Impruneta’s brilliant artisan culture is unmissable: it is in this very place that “cotto imprunetino”, the terracotta that has historically characterised Tuscany’s landscape, is produced. The Florentine dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, for example, is made of terracotta tiles from Impruneta; the same goes for many of the Della Robbia sculptures.

Signa, on the river Arno, is another handcrafting centre, where handmade straw hats have been produced ever since the eighteenth century and are on display in the Straw and Straw-weaving Museum.

Immerse yourself in the full beauty of the Tuscan countryside, only a few miles from Florence. The woods of Reggello are perfect for surrounding yourself with a quiet, relaxing environment. After a visit to Vallombrosa, where nature and abbeys come together, take a break in one of the many trattorias with rustic and genuine souls.

Impruneta’s brilliant artisan culture is unmissable: it is in this very place that “cotto imprunetino”, the terracotta that has historically characterised Tuscany’s landscape, is produced. The Florentine dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, for example, is made of terracotta tiles from Impruneta; the same goes for many of the Della Robbia sculptures.

Signa, on the river Arno, is another handcrafting centre, where handmade straw hats have been produced ever since the eighteenth century and are on display in the Straw and Straw-weaving Museum.

Events

In September, the town of Figline hosts the Palio di San Rocco and brings a magical medieval atmosphere to the Arno valley. During the festival, events and parades alternate throughout the town’s streets in anticipation of the actual competition, which culminates in a knightly joust.

The Palio dei Ciuchi is also held in Incisa during the same period, and is a concentration of folklore, entertainment and flag-wavers.

Autumnia is the main event in the Arno valley's autumn traditions, dedicated to agriculture, food and the environment in Figline’s historic centre.

Not to be missed are the performances by the group of Flag-wavers of the Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini, who bring the medieval and Renaissance tradition to life in the audience with spectacular choreography and music. Bishops, drums and trumpets move on the field, while captains accompany the banner evoking some aspects of ancient military life: combat, danger, enemies, until the celebration of victory and the exchange of the trajectory of the flags that leaves room for an exciting festive atmosphere.

In September, the town of Figline hosts the Palio di San Rocco and brings a magical medieval atmosphere to the Arno valley. During the festival, events and parades alternate throughout the town’s streets in anticipation of the actual competition, which culminates in a knightly joust.

The Palio dei Ciuchi is also held in Incisa during the same period, and is a concentration of folklore, entertainment and flag-wavers.

Autumnia is the main event in the Arno valley's autumn traditions, dedicated to agriculture, food and the environment in Figline’s historic centre.

Not to be missed are the performances by the group of Flag-wavers of the Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini, who bring the medieval and Renaissance tradition to life in the audience with spectacular choreography and music. Bishops, drums and trumpets move on the field, while captains accompany the banner evoking some aspects of ancient military life: combat, danger, enemies, until the celebration of victory and the exchange of the trajectory of the flags that leaves room for an exciting festive atmosphere.

Typical Dishes and Produce

During popular festivals, dwarf (or duck) with celery, a typical local recipe, is specially prepared in Figline and Incisa Valdarno. The preparation is not particularly complex, but takes a long time to cook. It is for this reason that the dish is reserved for special occasions.

Other regional specialties that we recommend include the zolfino bean, which has a very fine skin and is easy to cook; the tarese del Valdarno, a rich and delicate pork sausage; and an excellent Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil PGI.

During popular festivals, dwarf (or duck) with celery, a typical local recipe, is specially prepared in Figline and Incisa Valdarno. The preparation is not particularly complex, but takes a long time to cook. It is for this reason that the dish is reserved for special occasions.

Other regional specialties that we recommend include the zolfino bean, which has a very fine skin and is easy to cook; the tarese del Valdarno, a rich and delicate pork sausage; and an excellent Tuscan Extra Virgin Olive Oil PGI.