Visit Casentino
The Casentino area of Tuscany to the east of Florence is a very pleasant region of countryside scattered with monasteries and castles. This quiet region, largely undiscovered and neglected by visitors to Tuscany, also has an interesting history - see history of Casentino.
The Casentino is the name given to the river basin of the upper Arno and it is within the province of Arezzo - the Casentino is one of the inland basins that characterise Tuscany and Umbria. Woodlands and rolling hills are everywhere, interspersed with high-yield crops such as vines and fruit trees, and white spruce and black pines.
Most people travelling to Italy in search of the ancient monuments and artworks in the towns and villages do not have time to stray from the popular tourist routes, so there are often places that are very interesting but have very few visitors. This is particularly the case with the Casentino region which has to compete with the many famous attractions of Tuscany!
Apart from the general attractions of the countryside we particularly suggest you visit the following as part of your trip to the Casentino region:
The clusters of village and historic monuments around castel San Niccolo
See Cetica guide and Castel San Niccolo guide
The town of Pelago, with the castle of Pelago and the interesting Museum of the Parish Church of San Clemente
See Pelago guide for details
The district around Capolona, well known for its romanesque frescoed parish churches
See Capolona guide for details
Montemignaio, in particular for the castle ruins and village church
See Montemignaio guide for details
Map of Casentino and places to visit
Casentino places to visit
Bibbiena
With its roots in Etruscan times, the village of Bibbiena is visited for its numerous small churches and palazzos
Bibbiena guide
Camaldoli
Camaldoli, in Casentino, is visited for the Holy Hermitage and Monastery in the village
Camaldoli guide
Capolona
The region around Capolona in Tuscany is visited for the traditional frescoed village churches here
Capolona guide
Castel San Niccolo
The historic centre of Castel San Niccolò in Tuscany is small but very picturesque and unspoiled
Castel San Niccolo guide
Cetica
In Cetica village in Tuscany you can see a medieval stone bridge and some interesting small ancient churches
Cetica guide
Montemignaio
The church and castle are the highlights in Montemignaio village, Casentino
Montemignaio guide
Pratovecchio
There are several notable churches and monasteries in and near the medieval village of Pratovecchio
Pratovecchio guide
Raggiolo
The small village at Raggiolo is on the side of a hill surrounded by chestnut forests
Raggiolo guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Tuscany
