The best walks and hikes around Castel Focognano

Here you can walk along this easy trail, immersing yourself in nature and enjoying the splendid, breathtaking views.

Along the Pratomagno ridge, between Monte Lori and Croce, a sword embedded in the rock adds a touch of legend to the route. This symbol invites you to pause and admire the endless panorama, capturing the timeless essence of the vast high-altitude meadows.

The abbey, also known as Fonte Benedetta, was the first Benedictine monastery in Casentino, founded between 983 and 996 by two German hermits, Pietro and Eriprando, probably on a Roman transit road that connected the Valdarno to Casentino. The monastery had already seen great development in the 11th century and then in the following one, which lasted until the end of the 14th century, which led it to increase its material assets and to have jurisdiction over many churches and castles in Casentino and especially in Valdarno. In 1193 the presence of a hospital owned by the abbey in Pratovalle is attested.[1] In the 15th century the monastery entered a phase of decline and already in 1425 it was entrusted to the Vallombrosan monks who, however, were unable to halt its decline and gradual abandonment. At the end of the 17th century the Abbey was already compromised in several parts. By then abandoned, during the Napoleonic period the Abbey passed to the Marquises Corsi of Florence and, from 1811, to the Cassi family of Capraia, who neglected to maintain the buildings, so that by the early 20th century the Abbey was in ruins. In 1968, restoration of what remained was undertaken, completed in 1974, which restored the architectural remains and made the area accessible again. (Source: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbazia_di_Santa_Trinita_in_Alpe )

The monument is made up of an upper part formed by the circular mausoleum and a lower part, accessible by continuing along the downhill road, formed by the chapel.

Ugo Tarchi, Florentine architect and art historian, created an imposing mausoleum which stands at the foot of the Castle of the Counts Guidi and looks out over the Campaldino plain, where Dante Alighieri fought in 1289. The War Memorial was erected in honor of the fallen young men who fought in the First World War against the Austro-Hungarian army. The client of the Monument was Francesco Gatteschi and the work was built between 1927 and 1937. On 12 June 1938 the Monument was inaugurated with a ceremony presided over by the highest officials of the Arezzo fascist hierarchy. (Source: https://www.centrostoricopoppi.it/attrazioni-turistiche/#monumento-ai-caduti-1-guerra-mondiale)

Church of San Marco and San Lorenzo The Church of San Marco and San Lorenzo, as can be seen from the name, has two owners since it is the recognition of two ancient churches: the historic Church of San Marco from 1250, which stood in place of the current church and the archaic church of San Lorenzo. The rector of the church of San Lorenzo, Don Francesco Rilli, took care of the reconstruction of the contemporary church, and the building was consecrated on 5 September 1784 by the Arezzo Bishop Niccolò Marcacci. The origins of the Church are contemporary with the nearby Castello dei Guidi and the Badia di San Fedele. (Source: https://www.centrostoricopoppi.it/attrazioni-turistiche/#chiesa-di-san-marco-e-san-lorenzo)

In front of the Church of San Marco and San Lorenzo, in the center of the village of Poppi, is the Oratory of the Madonna del Morbo, better known as the Church of the Madonna del Morbo The Church was built between 1651 and 1659 based on a design by the doctor from Poppi Francesco Folli, in honor of the Madonna who had protected the people of Poppi from the plague that broke out in the surrounding areas. The same plague, that of 1628, described by Alessandro Manzoni in the historical novel "The Betrothed". The oratory, as can be seen from the Statute, is "owned by the people of Poppi", as it was built at the expense of the population who intended, in this way, to thank the Madonna for having saved the population of Poppi from the disease. (Source: https://www.centrostoricopoppi.it/attrazioni-turistiche/#chiesa-della-madonna-del-morbo)

The church of San Fedele was originally a small chapel dedicated to San Rocco (protector of Poppi). ... The church today is also called Badia. It was built by Abbot Rudolph II in 1185. It is the largest church in the Casentino and dates back to the Lombard era, it was the first parish church of Poppi. Between 970 and 980 the choice as patron saint of San Fedele, a soldier of the Theban Legion under Diocletian near Saint Maurice. Blessed Torello has a particular connection with the Abbey of San Fedele because it was the church of reference for this hermit saint who lived in the 13th century. Born in Poppi in 1202, Torello remained an orphan and for the people of Poppi he is the official patron saint of the town and they celebrate him with a solemn procession on 16 March. (Source: https://www.centrostoricopoppi.it/attrazioni-turistiche/#badia-san-fedele-e-san-torello)