Route of the Fortresses
The Route of the Fortresses, a path between Montemurlo and Bisenzio valley, for the first time unites in a single route, easily accessible and divisible into stages, castles and towers immersed in nature, following ancient medieval roads, along which still meet parish churches, abbeys and small perched villages.
Immersed in a landscape of great charm, beautiful paths lead to glorious testimonies of a medieval past, emblems of famous families, such as the Guidi and Alberti counts remembered in the Divine Comedy, who competed for possession of the territory with the fierce municipalities of Florence and Pistoia.
The journey through time to discover the evocative Middle Ages becomes an adventure in ever new natural scenarios, from the amphitheaters of the serpentine quarries of Monteferrato to the sweetness of Montemurlo hill terraces, from the boundless panoramas of Calvana massif, up to the wildest harshness of the Upper Bisenzio Valley.
A path to experience also with the family for curious young explorers.
Stages
From the Fortress of Montemurlo to Melagrana Tower From the Fortress of Montemurlo to Melagrana Tower
Total length: approximately 21 km
Total height difference uphill: 950 m
Difficulty: medium
3 municipalities: Montemurlo, Prato, Vaiano.
The first stage of the Route of the Fortresses starts from Montemurlo hill and its fortified village, the oldest nucleus in the area, where you can admire the Fortress and the Parish church of San Giovanni beheaded. Leaving the village and heading towards the slopes of Monteferrato you come across the former quarries of Prato's green marble, the serpentine. The itinerary continues following the ancient medieval route, which runs along Spazzavento Mount and after the ancient villages of Popigliano and Grisciavola, reaches Mulinaccio Villa, the Abbey of San Salvatore in Vaiano up to Melagrana Tower.
From Melagrana Tower to Vernio Fortress From Melagrana Tower to Vernio Fortress
Total length: approximately 23 km
Total height difference uphill: 1150 m
Difficulty: medium
3 Municipalities: Vaiano, Cantagallo, Vernio.
The second stage starts from Melagrana Tower and passes through timeless villages of Calvana such as Montauto, Mezzana and Montecuccoli to reach the fortified complex of Cerbaia Fortress. The route runs parallel to the course of Bisenzio river and climbs towards the villages of Costozze and Ceraio. Continuing the journey you pass through wonderful centuries-old chestnut groves to arrive in Rimondeto, then in San Quirico di Vernio with Casone de' Bardi and the Fortress.
Along the route
Gallery
