Valtiberina villages

L'arte dei Della Robbia in Valtiberina Toscana (2)

Della Robbia Itinerary in Tuscany: the Tiber Valley

A Della Robbia itinerary in Tuscany: glazed terracotta and Renaissance art in the Tiber Valley The Tiber Valley holds an artistic heritage that speaks the language of glazed terracotta. Village after village, the works of the Della Robbia family and the Buglioni workshop tell a story spanning more than a century of Italian art. Following this Della Robbia itinerary in Tuscany, therefore, means discovering the valley through one of its most precious and least known treasures. For over a hundred years, from the early 1400s to the late 1500s, the Della Robbia left a lasting mark on Western culture. It was Luca della Robbia who first raised ceramics from a minor craft to an art on a par with sculpture and painting. Even today, his glazed terracottas remain a model of technical refinement, later perfected by his descendants.Thanks to the business skills of his nephew Andrea, Della Robbia works gained more and more admirers. Over the years, the family workshop in Via Guelfa, Florence, also welcomed Andrea’s son Giovanni, followed by Francesco, Marco, Girolamo and Luca the Younger. Each of them, in turn, left a personal mark on Tuscan and Italian art. Anghiari, the first stop In the medieval village of Anghiari, the itinerary opens with the altarpiece of the Madonna della Misericordia, kept in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Nearby, the Museum of Palazzo Taglieschi houses a lunette by Benedetto Buglioni depicting Christ and the Samaritan woman at the well. Sansepolcro, between Della Robbia and Piero della Francesca In Sansepolcro, the art of the Della Robbia comes to life in the Civic Museum. Here the Nativity from Andrea’s workshop stands out for its naturalistic setting.However, glazed terracotta is not the only voice in town. Sansepolcro is also the birthplace of Piero della Francesca, whose art still guides visitors today. In fact, many of the landscapes in his paintings can be recognised in the surrounding countryside. This second path ends in Monterchi, in front of his extraordinary fresco, the Madonna del Parto. Towards the borderlands: Badia Tedalda and Sestino Works by the Della Robbia and the Buglioni family also appear in the mountain areas that once marked the crossroads towards other regions, such as Badia Tedalda.These places evoke the past in different ways. Some, for example, recall the Second World War, like the Gothic Line Historical Park. Others tell older stories, like the Sasso di Simone near Sestino, the rocky plateau where Cosimo de’ Medici dreamt of building a fortress city. Pieve Santo Stefano, a Della Robbia town Pieve Santo Stefano keeps some of the finest gems of this Della Robbia itinerary in Tuscany.In the hamlet of Valsavignone, the church of Saints Peter and Paul holds a Madonna and Child with Saints Peter and Pope Clement, from the workshop of Andrea della Robbia. Likewise, the Collegiate Church of Santo Stefano houses two works from the same workshop. The first is the Assumption of Mary with Saint Francis, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Jerome and Saint Anthony the Abbot. The second is Saint Sebastian at the column. Inside the Council Hall of the Town Hall, visitors can admire The Samaritan woman at the well by Girolamo della Robbia (1510–1511). Thanks to the delicacy of its scene, it is one of the most moving works in the town. Outside, meanwhile, the façade of the Town Hall displays the Della Robbia coats of arms of the families who governed the town over the centuries. Among them are the Pucci, Medici, Castellani, Antinori, Particini and Gualterotti families. Together, they form a terracotta mosaic that tells the civic history of the town as much as its artistic one. A one-day Della Robbia itinerary in Tuscany The whole route can be explored in a single day. Simply move from village to village across the Tiber Valley, and let the delicate thread of glazed terracotta guide you. Where to stay to discover the Tiber Valley Discovering the Tiber Valley means taking your time. Walking, observing and listening to the landscape all follow a natural rhythm. Trails, hills and woods, in turn, invite you to slow down and experience the land with care. Staying in the countryside lets you tune into a valley where nature, seasons and silence shape everyday life. Here the landscape is not just a backdrop; on the contrary, it changes with the light and the time of day. At Le Ceregne Bio, our organic farm stay in Tuscany, you can alternate walks in nature and quiet moments with cultural visits. It’s a way of experiencing the valley through slow travel and attentive observation. So, would you like a stay that combines art, culture and countryside? Take a look at our rooms and the farm experiences we offer. Discover our rooms Discover our experiences What Our Guests Are Saying:

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Palio della Balestra di Sansepolcro

Palio della Balestra Sansepolcro

The Palio della Balestra di Sansepolcro, a Centuries-Old Tradition of Valtiberina “Si Balestri il Palio, con virtù ed onestà, e che la vittoria arrida a lo migliore in campo!” The Palio della Balestra di Sansepolcro is one of the most heartfelt historic traditions in Valtiberina Toscana. Held every year on the second Sunday of September, the competition pits crossbowmen from Sansepolcro and Gubbio against one another, reviving an ancient rivalry rooted in the Renaissance. The rivalry between the two towns has been documented consistently since 1594, though the tradition runs even deeper: as early as the 15th century, crossbow shooting was reportedly practiced as both a civic and military discipline. Local tradition even holds that Piero della Francesca defended Sansepolcro’s colors in 1453, a detail that shows just how deeply this practice was woven into the town’s everyday life. The Historic Procession and Entrance into the Square The Palio begins in the afternoon, when the historic processions of Sansepolcro and Gubbio wind through the streets of the old town. Ladies, armed guards, musicians, and trumpeters accompany the crowd, creating a striking atmosphere full of color, sound, and Renaissance flair. The entrance into Piazza Torre di Berta is one of the day’s most exciting moments. Here, flag-wavers perform intricate routines and choreographed displays, paying tribute to the city’s districts before the competition officially begins. The Crossbow Challenge: Balestra all’Italiana The competition takes place at the shooting range, roughly 50 meters from the central target, known as the corniolo. Crossbowmen from both towns take turns firing their bolts in an atmosphere of total silence and concentration. Every shot counts. Victory often comes down to mere millimeters, carefully measured by the judges. Once the match ends, the winning crossbowman is proclaimed alongside his historic procession, which parades once more through the streets, greeted by townspeople and visitors who have gathered from across Valtiberina. An Event Lived by the Community The Palio della Balestra is far more than a historical reenactment — it’s an event deeply felt by the people of Sansepolcro. It marks the high point of Settembre Biturgense, a month packed with cultural events and side activities that involve the entire town. Attending the Palio means connecting with the truest identity of Sansepolcro and Valtiberina, where tradition, historical memory, and community participation continue to coexist naturally. Where to Find Information About the Palio della Balestra To learn more about the event’s history, explore the full Settembre Biturgense program, and discover related activities, visitors can check the official website of the Balestrieri di Sansepolcro, which gathers documents, historical accounts, and updates on the tradition. Where to Stay to Discover Valtiberina Toscana Discovering the nature of Valtiberina Toscana means taking the time to walk, observe, and listen to the landscape. Trails, hills, and woods accompany the journey at a natural rhythm, inviting you to slow down and experience the environment mindfully. A countryside stay in Tuscany lets you connect with a valley where nature, the seasons, and silence are part of everyday life. Here, the landscape isn’t just a backdrop — it’s a living element that shifts with the light and the weather. At Le Ceregne Bio, direct contact with the environment shapes a way of traveling built around walks, nature trails, and quiet moments, alternated with cultural visits. It’s a way of experiencing Valtiberina through slow walking and observation. If you’d like to experience the Palio della Balestra di Sansepolcro at a relaxed pace, immersed in the traditions of Valtiberina, explore our rooms and the farm life activities we offer at our agriturismo — for a stay that brings together culture, countryside, and slow time. Discover our rooms Discover our experiences What Our Guests Are Saying:

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Sansepolcro borgo d’arte e tradizioni nella Valtiberina Toscana

Sansepolcro: The Cultural Identity of Valtiberina

Sansepolcro: The Cultural Identity of Valtiberina Sansepolcro, a town of art and tradition in Valtiberina Toscana, is one of the most significant centers in the valley — a place where art, history, and tradition still shape everyday life. It stands as one of the most representative villages of Valtiberina Toscana, where cultural heritage remains a living part of local identity. The town occupies a strategic position along the upper Tiber Valley, striking a balanced relationship between its urban character and the surrounding rural landscape. Here, the town isn’t simply a destination to visit but a space to experience. Its squares, historic streets, and workshops speak of a deep identity, shaped over time through an ongoing dialogue between culture, craftsmanship, and the land. Piero della Francesca and Luca Pacioli: The Renaissance in Sansepolcro Sansepolcro is best known as the birthplace of Piero della Francesca, one of the leading figures of the Italian Renaissance. Born here between 1412 and 1414, Piero developed a pictorial language rooted in balance, light, and geometric precision, leaving a lasting mark on art history. The Museo Civico di Sansepolcro holds some of his most important works, including the celebrated Resurrection, widely regarded as one of the absolute masterpieces of the 15th century, along with the Polittico della Misericordia, which reflects the artist’s evolving style and his deep bond with the region. Alongside Piero della Francesca, Sansepolcro was also the birthplace of Luca Pacioli, a mathematician and Franciscan friar who played a central role in Renaissance culture. As the author of the Summa de arithmetica, Pacioli is considered the father of double-entry bookkeeping and one of the greatest thinkers on proportion and mathematical harmony. The ideal dialogue between Piero’s paintings and Pacioli’s ideas tells the story of a town where art and science share the same cultural roots. The Historic Center and Its Cultural Landmarks Sansepolcro’s historic center has kept a compact, easy-to-navigate layout, perfect for exploring on foot. Walking through its streets means moving through centuries of history, past Renaissance palazzi, churches, and civic spaces still very much alive with the local community. Beyond the Museo Civico, the town is home to other cultural highlights such as the Aboca Museum, dedicated to the relationship between people, nature, and plant science, and the Duomo di Sansepolcro, the town’s spiritual heart. Small museums and artisan workshops complete the picture, preserving a tradition of manual skill and material culture that still defines the village’s identity today. Experiencing Sansepolcro’s historic center means taking the time to observe, step into its museums, pause in its squares, and let yourself be guided by a slow, authentic rhythm. Traditions, Events, and Daily Life Sansepolcro keeps its traditions very much alive. Among its most heartfelt events is the Palio della Balestra, a historical reenactment celebrating the ancient Italian crossbow and reinforcing the town’s bond with its medieval past. Throughout the year, the local calendar is enriched by markets, cultural events, and gatherings tied to craftsmanship and local produce. Rather than mere tourist attractions, these events are moments of collective participation that reveal a community still deeply connected to its own history. Taking part in these occasions offers a way to discover Sansepolcro not only through its monuments, but also through its lively, everyday dimension. Sansepolcro and the Valtiberina Landscape Sansepolcro sits within a landscape that naturally invites you to slow down. The rolling hills of Valtiberina Toscana, cultivated fields, and quiet country roads create an ideal setting for walks, hikes, and nature trails. Just outside the town, visitors can find places of great spiritual and scenic value, such as the Eremo di Montecasale, tucked away in the silence of the woods. In this setting, a visit to the town blends naturally with the surrounding landscape, offering an experience that combines culture, nature, and slow living. For this reason, Sansepolcro stands out as a true town of art and tradition in Valtiberina Toscana, ideal for those seeking an authentic side of Tuscany, away from the busier tourist routes. Where to Stay to Visit Sansepolcro at a Relaxed Pace   To truly experience Sansepolcro without rushing, staying in the surrounding Valtiberina countryside is the best choice. This makes it easy to reach the historic center during the day and return each evening to a quiet, natural setting, far from traffic and hectic routines. At Le Ceregne Bio, an organic agriturismo in Valtiberina Toscana, you can explore Sansepolcro along with the other villages worth visiting in the area, alternating cultural visits with moments of relaxation in nature. The stay can also be enriched with activities tied to the land, such as local oil and wine tastings, traditional cooking classes, trekking, nature walks, bike and e-bike excursions, and outdoor yoga sessions. It’s an authentic way to turn a visit to Sansepolcro into a complete holiday built on art, landscape, and wellbeing. If you’d like to visit Sansepolcro at a relaxed pace and discover Valtiberina in the same unhurried spirit, consider staying immersed in nature and setting out each day to explore the area. Discover our rooms Discover our experiences What Our Guests Are Saying:

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Anghiari, borgo medievale della Valtiberina Toscana

Anghiari Medieval Village of Valtiberina Toscana

Anghiari: The Medieval Village of Valtiberina Where Time Slows Down Anghiari is one of the most iconic medieval villages of Valtiberina Toscana, perched on a hill overlooking the Tiber Valley. Listed among Italy’s “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (Most Beautiful Villages) and awarded the Touring Club Italiano’s Orange Flag, it holds a rare balance between historical heritage, landscape, and everyday life. Here, the village isn’t a tourist backdrop but a place still truly lived in, where local identity shows through slow rhythms, close-knit community life, and a direct bond with the land. The Battle of Anghiari and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mystery Anghiari’s history is closely tied to the Battle of Anghiari, fought on June 29, 1440. Florentine troops defeated the Milanese forces that day, permanently securing the village’s place within Tuscany. This episode later entered art history through Leonardo da Vinci, who was commissioned to depict the battle in the Salone dei Cinquecento at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Although the work was never completed, the connection between Anghiari and the Renaissance remains central to its historical identity. That bond goes beyond art, however, carrying cultural and symbolic weight as well. The Battle of Anghiari marked a turning point for the valley, shifting it from a border territory into a stable part of the Florentine sphere. Even today, the memory of that event helps shape the village’s identity and its relationship with history, making Anghiari a place where past and landscape continue to speak to one another naturally. The Historic Center of Anghiari and the Via del Sole Anghiari’s historic center has preserved its medieval layout intact, developing along a main axis that climbs through the village from bottom to top: the ancient Ruga di San Martino, known today as Corso Matteotti. The name Via del Sole doesn’t refer to a different street, but to a natural phenomenon. During certain times of the year, especially in spring, the rising sun aligns perfectly with the Ruga di San Martino, lighting up the entire street and creating a strikingly beautiful effect. Visible at dawn, this alignment reinforces the symbolic bond between the village, its landscape, and the changing seasons. Along this route, visitors find side alleys, stairways, historic palazzi, and artisan workshops that reveal an everyday life still genuine, far removed from standardized tourist paths. Walking along the Ruga di San Martino and experiencing the Via del Sole also means taking the time to wander without a fixed destination, pausing to notice small details, stepping into local shops, and letting the village set the pace. It’s a simple, authentic way of experiencing Anghiari and Valtiberina, built from small gestures and everyday moments of discovery. Beyond the Ruga di San Martino, exploring Anghiari’s old town also means climbing toward the bastions that overlook Valtiberina, following quiet alleys and lesser-known corners. From here, the view opens onto the valley and Sansepolcro, offering panoramic points that reflect the village’s strategic role over the centuries. Flower-lined lanes and artisan workshops preserve an authentic atmosphere, far from Tuscany’s more stereotyped, touristy image. It’s in these spaces of stone and light that Anghiari reveals its truest character. Museums, Traditions, and Community Events Anghiari holds a small but meaningful collection of museums. Among the main ones are the Museo della Battaglia di Anghiari, the Museo di Palazzo Taglieschi, and the Museo della Misericordia. These spaces offer insight into the artistic, social, and civic history of the area. Alongside its museums, the village comes alive year-round with events deeply felt by the local community. Among the most notable are the Mostra Mercato dell’Artigianato della Valtiberina Toscana and the Palio della Vittoria. In addition, Anghiari hosts the Anghiari Festival, a summer music series that brings concerts and performances to the village’s squares and historic sites. The calendar is rounded out by events such as Tovaglia a Quadri, L’Intrepida, and I Centogusti dell’Appennino. Anghiari and the Valtiberina Landscape One of Anghiari’s most captivating features is its direct relationship with the Valtiberina landscape. From the bastions and the village’s highest points, the view stretches across the valley, creating an ongoing dialogue between human settlement and nature. In this setting, a visit naturally becomes a slow experience. Visitors wander without rushing, pause to watch the light shift over the hills, and simply listen to the silence. For this reason, Anghiari stands out as a medieval village in Valtiberina Toscana ideally suited to mindful travel, far from mass tourism. Where to Stay to Visit Anghiari To truly experience Anghiari at a relaxed pace, staying in the surrounding Valtiberina countryside is the best choice. This makes it easy to reach the village during the day and return each evening to a quiet, natural setting. At Le Ceregne Bio, an organic agriturismo in Valtiberina Toscana, you can explore Anghiari along with the other villages worth visiting in the area. You can also alternate cultural visits with moments of relaxation in nature, following a slow, authentic rhythm. What makes the stay even more complete are the activities offered at the agriturismo, designed to complement village exploration with experiences tied to the land. Local oil and wine tastings, traditional cooking classes, nature walks, trekking, and bike or e-bike excursions all offer ways to get to know Valtiberina through its landscapes, its flavors, and its everyday pace. In this way, a visit to Anghiari becomes part of a broader, more mindful holiday — one built on slow time, nature, and authenticity. To visit Anghiari at a relaxed pace and discover the villages of Valtiberina in the same unhurried spirit, consider staying immersed in nature and setting out each day to explore the area. Discover our rooms Discover our experiences What Our Guests Are Saying:

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Villages in Valtiberina

Villages in Valtiberina: history, traditions and local identity

A borderland shaped by history and identity The Valtiberina is a borderland where history, art and traditions blend naturally.Here, villages are not just tourist destinations but living places, deeply connected to their identity and the communities that inhabit them. If you are planning a trip and looking for villages in Valtiberina to explore, this itinerary introduces the most representative towns of the valley, within a broader journey through eastern Tuscany shaped by the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and traditions that are still alive today. Anghiari, the symbol village of Valtiberina Anghiari is one of Italy’s most beautiful villages and embodies the medieval soul of the Valtiberina.Its historic center rises on a hill overlooking the valley and has preserved its original urban structure, made of stone alleys, stairways, arches, small squares, artisan workshops and historic cellars. Anghiari is also deeply connected to its traditions and community life, with a rich calendar of local events that mark the seasons of the valley. Craft fairs, historical reenactments, food festivals and slow tourism events are strongly felt by the local population and reflect a shared cultural identity. Walking through Anghiari means experiencing an authentic Tuscany, far from mass tourism.One of the most evocative streets is Via del Sole, a stone path climbing toward the historic center. In spring, at sunrise, the light naturally aligns with the street, creating a moment that reflects the ancient relationship between the village, the landscape and the cycle of the seasons. Sansepolcro, art, traditions and a culture of making Sansepolcro is the main urban center of the Valtiberina and is known as the birthplace of Piero della Francesca, whose artistic legacy still shapes the town’s cultural identity.Alongside an important artistic and museum heritage, Sansepolcro preserves traditions deeply rooted in everyday life, passed down through generations. One of the most significant is the Palio della Balestra, a historic competition celebrating the Italian crossbow and representing a strong connection to the town’s medieval past. More than a historical reenactment, it remains a moment of shared participation for the local community. Sansepolcro is also closely linked to a long-standing tradition of pasta making, which reflects a broader culture of food, craftsmanship and manual knowledge.This is where the story of Buitoni began, transforming a domestic and artisanal practice into an experience that helped bring Italian pasta to an international audience. Even today, pasta is part of the town’s identity, connected to agricultural roots and everyday gestures that define local life. Alongside its culinary heritage, Sansepolcro is also home to a historic production of Tuscan cigars, another expression of a manufacturing culture based on skill, patience and a deep relationship with the territory. Visiting Sansepolcro means discovering a town where art, traditions and work coexist in balance, offering a clear insight into the cultural soul of the Valtiberina. Caprese Michelangelo, between art and mountains Surrounded by forests in the upper Valtiberina, Caprese Michelangelo is a small village with a quiet and authentic character.It is the birthplace of Michelangelo Buonarroti and hosts the Casa Natale Museum, a meaningful stop for art lovers and curious travelers. Caprese is also connected to a strong agricultural and mountain tradition, celebrated every year through the chestnut festival, which highlights the deep bond between land, seasonality and community life. Pieve Santo Stefano, the City of Diaries and outdoor landscapes Pieve Santo Stefano is known as the City of Diaries and is home to the National Diary Archive, which preserves thousands of personal diaries and memoirs written by ordinary people.The Small Diary Museum offers an engaging and emotional experience through an interactive exhibition that makes the visit meaningful for adults, children and families alike. Beyond its cultural uniqueness, Pieve Santo Stefano is also an ideal base for outdoor activities.The surrounding area is crossed by more than 30 marked walking and cycling trails, suitable for all levels of experience and designed to explore the valley at a slow and natural pace. These routes lead through forests, open pastures and gentle hills, offering changing panoramas, quiet viewpoints and scenic stretches along the Tiber River.Here, cultural discovery and time in nature blend seamlessly, making Pieve Santo Stefano a destination where memory, landscape and slow exploration come together. Monterchi and the Madonna del Parto Monterchi is a small village immersed in a gentle and silent landscape.Here is preserved one of the most moving masterpieces of the Renaissance: the Madonna del Parto by Piero della Francesca. Housed in a dedicated museum, the fresco portrays motherhood with dignity and intensity and has become a symbol of protection and renewal.Visiting Monterchi means entering a quiet and contemplative place, where art and spirituality engage in dialogue with the surrounding landscape. The Madonna del Parto is not just a work of art to admire, but an experience to live, offering a direct encounter with Piero’s poetic language and the deep identity of the Valtiberina. Border villages and hidden corners of the Upper Tiber Valley Beyond the best-known Tuscan villages, the Valtiberina naturally extends across the regional border, offering beautiful Umbrian villages that are easy to reach and easy to include in a discovery itinerary. Among the most worth visiting are: Citerna, a panoramic village overlooking the Upper Tiber Valley Monte Santa Maria Tiberina, an elegant medieval town linked to the history of the Marchesi del Monte Montone, one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, known for its Renaissance character Although located in Umbria, these villages belong to the same historical and landscape context as the Valtiberina and naturally complete a slow and conscious journey through the valley. How to explore the villages of Valtiberina Tuscany The best way to discover the villages in Valtiberina is to take your time, alternating cultural visits with moments of nature and rest.Short distances between villages make it easy to plan day itineraries, long weekends or slow-paced holidays. Traveling through the valley also means enjoying the landscapes that connect each village, moving through hills, forests and white roads, and combining village exploration with nature trails and walking paths. Where to stay to explore Valtiberina villages

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