Garibaldi Gravel

Garibaldi found in Rapolano the relief of the thermal waters when he arrived there on August 13, 1867, to treat the after-effects of the wound suffered in the battle of Aspromonte: let's retrace his steps with an itinerary in the area.

The departure is set from the parking lot of the "piazzone" of Rapolano, a town that represents throughout the year a must-visit destination, for the young and old, to take a relaxing hot bath or have healthy mud or hydromassage sessions.

The forward direction is Asciano, but soon, having reached a small bridge over the railroad tracks, you turn off in the direction of Serre di Rapolano, which you can see, with its historic buildings and white expanses of travertine, nestled at the foot of the hill.

From Serre you take the road to the travertine quarries, a precious white stone also being mined today. The view of the processing sites is amazing and scenic. From the quarries, proceed toward the Val di Chiana along the freeway's coplanar where you can ride your bike easily and safely to Rigomagno Scalo and then tackle a short and spectacular 20% gradient (for the less trained we recommend doing it on foot) that leads to the medieval village set atop a hill and surrounded by 14th-century walls.

The next dirt road leads toward Poggio l'Aiole from where you can reach the Calcione Dam, a beautiful lake hidden among thick woods. A stop at the lake is a must before heading to the medieval castle of Modanella and then to Poggio Santa Cecilia, the ghost town but one that has remained structurally intact.

Rapolano is now a stone's throw away, and in the village one is spoiled for choice between a soak in the thermal baths and a well-deserved bruschetta with the precious olive oil. When in doubt, both proposals can be considered.

Itinerary by stradedisiena.it