In the heart of Valdarno Aretino, straddling the provinces of Arezzo and Florence, Castelfranco Piandiscò is a destination that enchants with its perfect harmony of history, spirituality and timeless landscapes. This municipality, arising from the union of the ancient villages of Castelfranco di Sopra and Pian di Scò, lies along the scenic road named Strada dei Setteponti, on a route combining art, nature and tradition.
If you are seeking out an authentic stretch 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 frescoes from the Renaissance
3.
The Balze del Valdarno: a landscape like nowhere else 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
The Arnolfo Tower - Credit: Archivio fotografico Valdarno Aretino
Castelfranco di Sopra is a jewel of medieval architecture and one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages according to rankings compiled by ANCI. Founded in 1296 as “terra nuova” by the Florentine Republic, it still retains the urban structure designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, comprised of a quadrangular layout, a central piazza and a network of orthogonal streets.
The symbol of the village is the Torre d’Arnolfo (Arnolfo Tower), also known as Torre Campana, which marks the entrance to the historic center. Strolling along its cobblestone streets, you encounter historic buildings such as the Palazzo Comunale and the Church of San Filippo Neri, inside which is a splendid work by Matteo Rosselli: the Ecstasy of San Filippo Neri.
1.
The Abbey of Soffena: spirituality and frescoes from the Renaissance
The Abbey of San Salvatore a Soffena - Credit:
Sailko
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. Its 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 cozy atmosphere and architectural harmony render the Abbey an essential stop for those seeking an experience that is both spiritual and artistic.
1.
The Balze del Valdarno: a landscape like nowhere else in the world
The 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 moonscape even inspired Leonardo da Vinci and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Geological Heritage Site.
A perfect way to explore this area is to walk the Sentiero dell'Acqua Zolfina, a hiking trail 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 road named Strada dei Setteponti is Pian di Scò, a village with a medieval soul arising around the Parish Church of Santa Maria a Scò, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Valdarno. Documented as early as the year 1008, the parish church as it stands today dates back to the 12ᵗʰ century and is an outstanding example of sacred architecture.
The three-aisled interior, capitals decorated with zoomorphic and phytomorphic motifs, along with works of art attributed to Paolo Schiavo all offer an experience of rare cultural and spiritual intensity.
1.
Hamlets, nature and traditions: the most authentic Tuscany
Typical dry stone walls built with stone blocks - 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, each spring the fields are colored lilac by the blooms of iris, which is cultivated for perfume production. Dry stone walls and olive groves can be found everywhere, as evidence of a deep connection with the land and tradition.
Visitare Castelfranco Piandiscò significa lasciarsi sorprendere da una Toscana lontana dal turismo di massa, ma ricca di arte, natura e autenticità. È il luogo perfetto per chi ama camminare nella storia, ammirare panorami senza tempo e scoprire borghi dove la vita scorre ancora secondo i ritmi naturali.
