About two kilometers from Loro Ciuffenna (Ar) is the detour that leads to the small village of Montemarciano. Located in the municipality of Terranuova Bracciolini (Ar) and just four hundred meters from the Church of the Madonna delle Grazie which is located on the Setteponti road.
The entrance to the village is marked by the Porta Campana. An ancient medieval gate still intact that in the thirteenth century protected this small castle, enclosed on a spur of rock above the fantastic landscape of the Balze del Valdarno. In fact, Montemarciano is also the starting point for many excursions to the famous Buca delle Fate.
The internal side of the Porta Campana still has the stairs that lead to what used to be the patrol walkway. From here you have a beautiful view of the main road which was built only in 1918 to go down to Strada delle Cave. Previously, however, it was reached through another access door, called Arco Etrusco, and located in the southern area of the village.
In the Middle Ages Montemarciano was also famous for its two hospitals for pilgrims who passed through the Cassia Vetus. In the 14th century this ancient institution was transferred to the village of Renacci, in the municipality of San Giovanni Valdarno (Ar).
Entering this small village you get the feeling that life goes by more slowly. In the summer, the balconies adorned with flowers give the visitor an atmosphere of yesteryear, enriched by the lovely views of the alleys.
SANDRO FABRIZI - MY BEAUTIFUL TUSCANY