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The Strada dei Sette Ponti
07:04
102km
1,700m
Cycling
The Strada dei Sette Ponti develops along that stretch of Via Cassia Vetus that connects Florence to Arezzo. It is a historic route 101 kilometers long and with almost 1,700 meters of elevation gain, to be done by bike or on foot.
On the provincial road between Florence and Arezzo, the ideal means of transport is a bicycle touring bike, for those who want to enjoy the area more calmly, or a road or gravel bike, for those who prefer to proceed a little faster.
Leave Florence in the direction of Pontassieve, with its Medici bridge dating back to 1555. From here, continue through the Reggello area, where the churches of San Pietro a Pitiana and San Pietro a Cascia are located. Follow the Via Cassia to Pian Di Scò and continue to Castelfranco di Sopra. We recommend that you first pay a visit to the Abbey of San Salvatore in Soffena to observe its valuable 15th-century frescoes. Continue to the suggestive medieval village of Loro Ciuffenna, an ancient Etruscan settlement of great charm and beauty, but not before admiring the suggestive geomorphological formations of the Balze del Valdarno.
After leaving Loro Ciuffenna, pedaling south towards the castle village of Castiglion Fibocchi, you will meet the Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina, one of the oldest religious buildings in the Arezzo diocese, dating back to the 12th century. Once past Castiglion Fibocchi, it continues towards Arezzo, until it crosses the Arno river on the mighty Ponte a Buriano - famous, among other things, for having been the backdrop to Leonardo's Mona Lisa.
by Toscana
Last updated: May 31, 2024
Tips
Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route
After 13.4 km for 236 m
After 72.1 km for 137 m
Waypoints
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41.0 km
Parish Church of San Pietro at Pitiana
Highlight • Religious Site
The Pieve had a certain importance especially starting from the fifteenth century when it was owned by Giovanni Cavalcanti who also hosted Marsilio Ficino and Lorenzo the Magnificent there in 1469.
The church dates back to the Romanesque age of which the bell tower remains visible from that era, which already existed in 1028.
Today the facade has a late Renaissance appearance, with a sixteenth-century portico. In the central door, of fifteenth-century origin, are the coats of arms of the Cavalcanti family, and in the center is the crutch symbol of the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova.
The main altar has a Romanesque relief representing Saint Peter blessing perhaps from the first half of the 12th century.
The two important tables by Ridolfo del Ghirlandaio still present in the church remain to confirm the importance it had in the Renaissance period.
On the right wall there is also a fifteenth-century stone tabernacle carved with elegant friezes.
The construction of the large villa that surrounds it on one side and which belongs to the Guicciardini family who owned many landed properties in the area also contributed to making the settlement more impressive.
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60.2 km
The Balze of the Valdarno
Highlight • Canyon
In addition to my photo, in order to give an idea of what I am, I am attaching one of Marco Faccioli.
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71.8 km
Loro Ciuffenna Historic Village and Waterfalls
Highlight • Settlement
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73.6 km
Pieve di San Pietro at Gropina
Highlight • Religious Site
We find the GREENMAN in the second column, among acanthus leaves and demonic masks with plant motifs. This image introduces an interesting study that hypothesizes the presence of the "GREEN MAN" in Gropina.
A symbology of human and semi-human heads submerged in the vegetation that overflows from the mouth and ears. A metaphor of the forces of evil that bind the human being without escape. A vision born from an ancient Anglo-Saxon pagan cult spread inexplicably all over the world.
A cult that we find in India, Germany, France, Indonesia up to Israel, in the #templary churches in Jerusalem.
But this is an Etruscan territory, its history is lost even further back in time. At that time an ancient pagan temple dedicated to DIANA stood here.
The parish church is located on the ancient CASSIAVETUS (which still today connects AREZZO to FLORENCE and is one of the oldest churches in Tuscany. It was even mentioned by #CARLOMAGNO in 780 AD.
But the oddities and the charm of this parish, recognized as a NATIONAL MONUMENT, do not end here. The capitals of the naves contain an authentic medieval bestiary with monsters and fantastic animals related to scenes from the Bible.
The sow suckling four piglets, identified as the seasons. A she-wolf with an open mouth, a symbol of evil always lurking and a wolf devouring a sheep.
But you will also find the Knights Templar on horseback armed with shields and spears, as they fight two demons. A fact that supports that the parish would have hosted the Knights Templar.
Each capital deserves an accurate description, but because the fifth column is devoid of images. Unusual that both fifth columns have no images ... why? A mystery within the mystery.
You will also find the CHIMERA, a legendary monster in Greek mythology, symbol of the nearby city of Arezzo, with a lion's head and body, on its back it carries a dragon's head and has a snake's tail.
About twenty steps then lead us into the basement, with the foundations of two buildings, in addition to the Romanesque one, there was also an early Christian church here. An object of enormous interest due to the amount of enigmatic symbolism is the pulpit, one of the most mysterious and magical in Italy. Just look at it to be intrigued and at the same time kidnapped by the interrogative images.
The balustrade is supported by two columns knotted together and has a frieze of "praying" men at the base. Above the symbolic representation of 3 evangelists and on the left side a two-tailed siren and a man in contortion clinging to two snakes that apparently seem to be biting him. Set in a unique landscape, surrounded by greenery, if you pass by these parts, you cannot absolutely miss it.
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93.3 km
Ponte Buriano
Highlight • Bridge
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102 km
Piazza Grande of Arezzo
Highlight • Historical Site
The city is located on the Cassia, on a hill at the intersection with four valleys (the Valdarno is precisely one of these) has always played an important and prominent role in Tuscan history and its rich monuments, churches and museums to visit, are today the legacy.
The friends who left Montevarchi joined me in Loro Ciuffenna (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) and from here we continued in the direction of the provincial capital along the Setteponti, the ancient Etruscan-Roman road.
ᴀʟᴛʀᴇ ɪɴꜰᴏ ᴛʀᴀᴛᴛᴇ ᴅᴀ ᴇxᴩᴇᴅɪᴀ
Not far from Florence and Siena, Arezzo is an extraordinarily ancient city, older than Alexandria in Egypt. It was one of the major Etruscan centers and subsequently became a Roman city of strategic importance, as well as a center of flourishing economic activities. Today museums, theaters and monuments speak to the visitor, reviving past myths and glories in his imagination. The advanced network of accommodation facilities, on the other hand, combined with a unique local friendliness, make travel offers to Arezzo always attractive and advantageous.
The main attraction of the city is certainly the Basilica of San Francesco, located in the city center. Inside the Basilica there is the famous Bacci Chapel which preserves the wonderful cycle of frescoes of the Legend of the True Cross, a masterpiece of Renaissance painting by Piero della Francesca. Continuing along Corso Italia, we arrive at the Pieve di Santa Maria, characterized by an interesting Romanesque façade and by its bell tower, 59 meters high and also called "with a hundred holes", the most precious building of all the Tuscan Romanesque. Inside there is a polyptych by Pietro Lorenzetti, the Madonna, Saints and a wooden cross by Margarito. Of the ancient facade you can admire the extraordinary medieval cycle depicting the twelve months of the year.
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Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
92.5 km
4.83 km
3.45 km
1.07 km
508 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
84.8 km
16.1 km
1.09 km
488 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (510 m)
Lowest point (60 m)
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Tuesday 12 May
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This route was planned by komoot.
Comments
July 29, 2022
The Strada dei Sette Ponti develops along that stretch of Via Cassia Vetus that connects Florence to Arezzo. It is a historic route 101 kilometers long and with almost 1,700 meters of elevation gain, to be done by bike or on foot.
On the provincial road between Florence and Arezzo, the ideal means of
Translated by Google •
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