Entirely surrounded by greenery , the village of Santa Brigida is located halfway between Vetta alle Croci and Valdisieve, in the municipality of Pontassieve.
The place is named after the saint who, according to tradition, stopped in a local grotto to live a life of solitude. An oratory, which later became a church, was then erected near the grotto and is still present with the same name.
There are several interesting sights in the area, scattered throughout a naturalistic extent that represents a rare balance between culture and nature, human labor and biological processes. Santa Brigida is home to a Protected Natural Area of Local Interest (ANPIL) named Poggio Ripaghera - Santa Brigida - Valle dell’Inferno between a maximum altitude a smidge under 3000 feet (914 meters) and a minimum of 1312 feet (400 meters). Ideal for trekking, the reserve safeguards the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, a significant architectural complex in the area and a pilgrimage destination.
Also starting out from Santa Brigida is the Sentiero delle Burraie trekking loop, which guides walkers through the forest dotted with ancient Burraie, buildings where butter and other dairy products were conserved and which bear witness to the many production settlements of the past.
Santa Brigida and Madonna del Sasso are likewise stops on the larger Anello del Rinascimento (Renaissance Ring), which runs all around Florence.
