モンテスペルトリの天然記念物・トップ14

The Barco Reale, in the Montalbano area, dates back to 1626. It is a hunting reserve created at the behest of the Medici and surrounded by a wall of about 50 km: the purpose was to protect the animals that lived in the area in order to have game for the Grand Duke's hunts. From the first decades of the 17th century, following the reduction in hunting, the Barco underwent a slow decline and was gradually abandoned. In the second half of the 18th century, the extent of the work needed to restore the reserve led to its "ban" in 1772, after Pietro Leopoldo rose to power, and a different destination was decided for these areas. Of the 50 km of walled enclosure that originally constituted the limit of this reserve in Montalbano, there are currently traces and remains more or less well preserved over 30 km. Some access points are still visible, while the gates have unfortunately all been lost. However, the original appearance of the Barco can still be seen today thanks to the eighteenth-century drawings by Bernardo Sgrilli, an engineer in the service of the Medici family. cit. "www.visittuscany.com"

The stretch from the crossroads for the Roveta source to Roncigliano (via Roveta) is prohibited due to no access signs on the part of Agricola Brunelli. Hunting reserve. If you then pass the same it is your responsibility

Just outside Certaldo, along the road that heads towards Castelfiorentino and Empoli, the Canonica hill park includes a green area equipped with picnic tables, barbecues and games for children, trekking paths for hiking enthusiasts and a real life. Along these paths bordered by rows of cypresses on the Certaldo hills, it really feels like walking in a postcard landscape. In the background, the tall medieval towers of San Gimignano, the bell towers of small churches surrounded by greenery and more countryside as far as the eye can see. From the Park you can easily reach the medieval village of Certaldo Alto where you can relax and enjoy a splendid sunset at the end of the walk. Not far away, the River Park, along the banks of the River Elsa, crosses the undergrowth of Gambassi Terme until it reaches Castelfiorentino.

At the beginning and at the end of the hike there are wonderful views of an enchanting panorama

A very nice park with seating and barbecue facilities, nice paths and descents. A section is reserved for archers

The landscape in this area of Tuscany is very attractive. But one rarely finds a shady path that leads well along a stream, the Agliena. In addition, the regulated course of the stream is interesting, as barrages, the Briglie, repeatedly form small waterfalls and subsequent ponds that are teeming with life. These barrages are said to go back to Leonardo da Vinci. The season in which you walk this section of the route is also crucial. I've been there in August 2021, but since it's quite dry in summer, there were only a few small pools. But now in May you can hear the splashing of the small waterfalls and the croaking of the frogs and flowers like the purple orchid and the star of Bethlehem are growing.

Old factory abandoned and now reduced to ruins. Known in the area in the 70s for the particular bottles used to pack the orange juice.

It is an old abandoned factory that bottled spring water and produced soft drinks. Closed in 1975. It's definitely worth a look and in my opinion even lengthen the journey a bit to get there. It is possible to drink the spring water that still flows