A walk through the streets of Santa Fiora to discover the masterpieces by Della Robbia and churches on the water
Santa Fiora, suspended between water and music, is one of the mountain villages clinging to Monte Amiata.
Since 2016, it has obtained the Orange Flag for tourism, recognition that is renewed every year thanks to the shared commitment to promote and enhance the culture and architectural and artistic beauty of the location.
There are lots of different routes that can be taken to explore this mountain village. Among these, one original way is to go on a tour of the churches.
The walk, about 2 km long, begins and ends in Piazza Garibaldi, the center of life in the village.
Walking along the streets that wind around the edges of the square, you will come to the following churches, listed in order: the Church of Suffragio, the Parish Church of Sante Flora e Lucilla, the Church of Santissimo Crocefisso and the Church of Madonna delle Nevi.
The Church of Suffragio (Suffrage) was built around the early 1700s and is distinctly Baroque-inspired.
It contains the three “trunks", which are carried in a procession during the Celebration of the Holy Cross on May 3, along with the miraculous Crucifix of Sister Passitea, an event that contributes to Santa Fiora’s uniqueness.
A procession takes place here every year, with worshipers and the town band, while the gonfalons and banners of the confraternities bring life to a unique event. Large, gnarled crosses float among the crowd, each one carried by a single man.
It is a small church but one that contains an 18th-century painting (behind the altar) of the Virgin of Suffrage.
The Church of Suffragio (Suffrage) was built around the early 1700s and is distinctly Baroque-inspired.
It contains the three “trunks", which are carried in a procession during the Celebration of the Holy Cross on May 3, along with the miraculous Crucifix of Sister Passitea, an event that contributes to Santa Fiora’s uniqueness.
A procession takes place here every year, with worshipers and the town band, while the gonfalons and banners of the confraternities bring life to a unique event. Large, gnarled crosses float among the crowd, each one carried by a single man.
It is a small church but one that contains an 18th-century painting (behind the altar) of the Virgin of Suffrage.
This is the best-known religious site in Santa Fiora, especially because it contains the priceless “robbiane” (glazed pottery) and the reliquary of Saints Flora and Lucilla, venerated by the local people.
The Parish Church of Sante Flora e Lucilla features architectural elements in Gothic and Renaissance styles and contains the collection of fine glazed terracotta sculptures created in the second half of the 1400s by Andrea della Robbia.
The reliquary also tells a very interesting story. It was donated by Counts Sforza and Aldobrandeschi and represents the transition between the two dynasties.
This is the best-known religious site in Santa Fiora, especially because it contains the priceless “robbiane” (glazed pottery) and the reliquary of Saints Flora and Lucilla, venerated by the local people.
The Parish Church of Sante Flora e Lucilla features architectural elements in Gothic and Renaissance styles and contains the collection of fine glazed terracotta sculptures created in the second half of the 1400s by Andrea della Robbia.
The reliquary also tells a very interesting story. It was donated by Counts Sforza and Aldobrandeschi and represents the transition between the two dynasties.
Known as the Church of Santa Clara, it is nestled between the houses in the historic center and was built in 1705. The chapel behind the altar contains a much-revered 15th-century wooden Crucifix (the one carried in the procession on May 3).
Here, tradition has it that this crucifix belonged to Sister Passitea Crogi, who founded the adjacent Capuchin convent, which was permanently closed in the early 1990s.
Known as the Church of Santa Clara, it is nestled between the houses in the historic center and was built in 1705. The chapel behind the altar contains a much-revered 15th-century wooden Crucifix (the one carried in the procession on May 3).
Here, tradition has it that this crucifix belonged to Sister Passitea Crogi, who founded the adjacent Capuchin convent, which was permanently closed in the early 1990s.
Its distinctive feature is its partly glass floor, allowing you to see the ancient road and the exact location of the source of the Fiora River.
The Church of Madonna delle Nevi (Our Lady of the Snow) is the point where the walk through the heart of Santa Fiora ends and it is a place of worship with an incredible history that welcomes visitors.
It is a small sacred building dating back to the 15th century and it is located right next to the large basin called the Peschiera. A medieval road crossed by a stream passed through here several centuries ago. The course of the river was diverted, to build the church, and channeled towards the Peschiera. A series of miracles happened after this event.
By mutual agreement and driven by the series of graces received, the citizens, the men of the Church and the Sforza family promoted the construction of the church, which is still a place with a mystical atmosphere.
Its distinctive feature is its partly glass floor, allowing you to see the ancient road and the exact location of the source of the Fiora River.
The Church of Madonna delle Nevi (Our Lady of the Snow) is the point where the walk through the heart of Santa Fiora ends and it is a place of worship with an incredible history that welcomes visitors.
It is a small sacred building dating back to the 15th century and it is located right next to the large basin called the Peschiera. A medieval road crossed by a stream passed through here several centuries ago. The course of the river was diverted, to build the church, and channeled towards the Peschiera. A series of miracles happened after this event.
By mutual agreement and driven by the series of graces received, the citizens, the men of the Church and the Sforza family promoted the construction of the church, which is still a place with a mystical atmosphere.