5 things not to be missed in Laterina Pergine Valdarno

Perched on a hill that dominates the Arno Valley, the historic center of Laterina is an authentic medieval treasure chest. Here, you can lose yourself around the cobblestone alleys, ancient gates and towers, which tell the story of centuries of history. 

Not to be missed: Palazzo del Podestà, the Guinigi Tower, the captivating Porta del Ghianderino and the remains of the city walls, still visible along the perimeter.

A perfect place for lovers of photography, history and timeless atmospheres.

This ancient church, which started out as a chapel for the fortress, is now an important artistic site. Inside, there are Fifteenth and Sixteenth-century works of Florentine art and outside there are the remains of a rare Roman floor mosaic discovered in nearby Le Pievi. 

It is one of the symbolic places where the Roman, medieval and Renaissance periods are intertwined.

In addition to the historic center, the municipality of Laterina Pergine Valdarno is dotted with small hamlets rich in charm and history. 

Among the most interesting: Monsoglio, with a magnificent Late Renaissance villa, Montozzi, built around a 12th-century castle, Vitereta and Casanuova, with medieval churches and views of the countryside.

Pergine Valdarno still maintains the soul of the ancient civilizations that inhabited it. Not to be missed is a visit to Pieve a Presciano, founded along a Roman road and now enchanting with its 19th-century neoclassical style. 

Other places to mark on the map: the Sanctuary of Madonna della Neve, commissioned by Giovanni Acuto, a legendary English mercenary captain, and the Grand Ducal Column of Montalto, one of the rare examples still remaining in Tuscany.

One the area's most interesting treasures is Ponte Romito, an ancient medieval crossing at the gorge of the Arno River, known as the Valle dell’Inferno (Valley of Hell) and identified in some studies as the bridge depicted in the background of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, a theory that fascinates visitors and scholars alike.

Don't miss the Medieval Celebration of Iron and Fire in July: the entire village is transformed into an open-air theater with costumed figures, jugglers, falconers and traveling shows. A riveting experience that will catapult you into the heart of the Middle Ages in Tuscany. It is also ideal for families and enthusiasts of historical reenactments.