In the heart of the Valdarno Aretino, straddling the provinces of Arezzo and Florence, Castelfranco Piandiscò is a destination that enchants with its perfect harmony of history, spirituality and breathtaking landscapes. This municipality, born from the union of the ancient villages of Castelfranco di Sopra and Pian di Scò, lies along the scenic Setteponti Road, a route that combines art, nature and tradition.
If you are looking for an authentic corner of Tuscany, here are 5 good reasons to visit Castelfranco Piandiscò.
Contents
1.
Castelfranco di Sopra: one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
2.
The Abbey of Soffena: spirituality and Renaissance frescoes.
3.
The crags of Valdarno: a landscape unique in the world
4.
Pian di Scò and its thousand-year-old parish church
5.
Hamlets, nature and traditions: the most authentic Tuscany
1.
Castelfranco di Sopra: one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
Castelfranco di Sopra is a jewel of medieval architecture. Founded in 1296 as “terra nuova” by the Florentine Republic, it still retains the urban structure designed by Arnolfo di Cambio: a quadrangular plan, a central square and a network of orthogonal streets.
The symbol of the village is the Torre d'Arnolfo, also known as Torre Campana, which marks the entrance to the historic center. Strolling through its cobbled streets, one encounters historic buildings such as the Palazzo Comunale and the Church of San Filippo Neri, inside which is preserved a splendid work by Matteo Rosselli: the Ecstasy of San Filippo Neri.
1.
The Abbey of Soffena: spirituality and Renaissance frescoes.
A few minutes from the center, immersed in the silence of the Tuscan countryside, stands the Abbey of San Salvatore a Soffena, founded in the 11th century and later rebuilt in the 14th century. The church's simple and solemn interior holds an astonishing collection of 15th-century frescoes, including works attributed to Paolo Schiavo, Maestro del Cassone Adimari and Mariotto di Cristofano, Masaccio's brother-in-law.
The collected atmosphere and architectural harmony make the abbey an essential stop for those seeking a spiritual and artistic experience at the same time.
1.
The crags of Valdarno: a landscape unique in the world
Le Balze - Credit: Archivio fotografico Valdarno Aretino
Among the most spectacular landscapes in Tuscany are undoubtedly the Balze del Valdarno, geological formations of sand and clay that create pinnacles and canyons shaped by millennia of erosion. This lunar landscape inspired even Leonardo da Vinci and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Geological Heritage Site.
A perfect way to explore it is to walk the Zolfina Water Trail, a hiking route that traverses the natural area, offering breathtaking views, rejuvenating silence and a deep connection with nature.
1.
Pian di Scò and its thousand-year-old parish church
Along the Setteponti Road lies Pian di Scò, a village with a medieval soul that developed around the Pieve di Santa Maria a Scò, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Valdarno. Documented as early as the year 1008, the present parish church, dating from the 12th century, is an extraordinary example of sacred architecture.
Its three-aisled interior, capitals decorated with zoomorphic and phytomorphic motifs, and works of art attributed to Paolo Schiavo offer an experience of rare cultural and spiritual intensity.
1.
Hamlets, nature and traditions: the most authentic Tuscany
Muretti a secco - Credit: Archivio Fotografico Valdarno Aretino
The territory of Castelfranco Piandiscò is dotted with small hamlets and rural landscapes that preserve the most genuine identity of Tuscany. Places like Certignano, Pulicciano, Faella and Caspri tell stories of agriculture, rural wisdom and natural beauty.
In Caspri, for example, every spring the fields are colored lilac by the bloom of iris, cultivated for perfume production. Everywhere there are dry stone walls and olive groves, evidence of a deep connection with the land and tradition.
Visiting Castelfranco Piandiscò means being surprised by a Tuscany far from mass tourism, but rich in art, nature and authenticity. It is the perfect place for those who love walking through history, admiring timeless views and discovering villages where life still flows according to natural rhythms.
