With the arrival of summer, the call of the water is strong. There is no sea in Florence, but there are unexpected places where you can take advantage of the sense of relief given by the flow of water, and plenty!
Our little itinerary is cool, but please note that not all these places are bathing!
Contents
1.
Along the river
2.
In the Park
3.
The ponds
4.
The ancient mill
5.
The lake
Along the river
Rovezzano Weir - Credit: comune di Firenze
The first tip is Florence, where the most “important” water is that of Arno. Unfortunately, the river is no (more) bathing, even if some old photos testify to a time when this activity was not only possible but also usual.
Today we have to settle for staying on the riverbanks and what better way to do it than by bicycle, taking advantage of the cycle path that crosses the city and connects Girone with Renai Park. You can stay on the meadows, on the banks and, if you want, also on the weirs, which are located both upstream and in the middle of the river, in the urban stretch.
In the Park
The Renai Park - Credit: Comune di Firenze
And right at the Renai Park (municipality of Signa) we find a bathing environment: in this green space near the Arno in the past, sand was quarried. Activity over and the whole area beautifully designated as a park full of greenery with many bodies of water for relaxing, picnicking, playing ball and swimming! One of the spaces is in fact an equipped beach. But there is also a nice swimming pool. The bike ride from Florence (Cascine Park) to Renai is within everyone’s reach, taking about 40 minutes.
The ponds
Focognano ponds - Credit: Comune di Firenze
Not far from Signa, in the municipality of Campi Bisenzio, we find another very interesting lake area, that of Focognano Ponds. We are in the area of the plain extending west of Florence, in a heavily anthropized and industrialized landscape: yet this WWF Oasis transports us to a dimension of silence, nature and water. Seeing is believing. The 5 lakes are very popular with birds, especially during the migratory period, and thanks to the special huts, the following can be observed: herons, kingfishers, wigeons and other fascinating birds.
The ancient mill
The Mulinaccio - Credit: Vignaccia 76
Staying in the immediate surroundings of Florence, precisely in the area of Scandicci, here is a place related to the presence of water of undisputed fascination.
It is the Mulinaccio, near San Vincenzo a Torri. We need to go deep into a forest to glimpse the ruins of a large mill, that was powered by a watercourse. The history of the mill was marked by adverse events and, in fact, at one point it was abandoned; today it is a very mysterious, quiet and cool place, where water still trickles down among the ancient stones.
The lake
Londa Lake - Credit: Comune di Firenze
We leave the area surrounding Florence to approach the Apennines: at the gates of the Casentino Forests National Park, in the municipality of Londa. The greenery rules, but the heart of the village is the lake surrounded by lush and pleasant nature, where in summer it is a delight to spend time outdoors. The lake of Londa is an artificial body of water; however, the village benefits from it in every way. The banks are pleasant for walks and picnics and are the scene of several events, especially organized with the good weather.
