Vaiano is the most important place in the Val di Bisenzio, and it is found in the heart of the natural area of Monteferrato. The town, of Roman origins, was the first town of some importance to develop in this area before the year 1000. The town was lucky to have a river, whose waters have been used since the Middle Ages in mills and fulling mills. After that, towards the second half of the 19th century, thanks to paper mills and foundries, the town became an important textile centre.