The Stilicone Trail

The Stilicone Trail traverses the verdant Fiesole countryside, starting from the Fiesole Tourist Office (next to the Archaeological area) and going all the way to Olmo.
This area has been home to many a famous artist. From a landscape perspective, it is characterized by vineyards and olive groves, watchtowers and medieval churches, in an area frequented since Etruscan times.

If the name sounds intriguing, it refers back to the historical fact: in the year 405 A.D., the Ostrogoths under the command of King Radagaisus invaded Italy from the north and swept through with looting and devastation. The Vanguards reached Florence in nine months, putting the city under siege while the bulk of the Ostrogoths with women and children lay in the Fiesole hills, rich in water sources, waiting to cross the Arno.

 In these times of crisis, the Roman General Stilicho, with few men but many tactics, divided the army into two units and, taking advantage of the hollow shape of the Mugnone valley, launched an attack, defeating the Ostrogoths at Mons Regis, which would later become Montereggi. The place name Vetta Le Croci (lit. Summit of the Crosses) above Olmo is said to be in reference to the numerous burials that followed the battle.

The Stilicho Trail, which partly uses these ancient paths, is distinguished on a naturalistic level by varied vegetation and the presence of numerous species of wild orchids.

You can download a map of the route, also with GPS tracking, from the Municipality of Fiesole website.