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Holidays in Reggello
Reggello is a hidden gem offering a perfect blend of high-altitude mountain air and classic Tuscan rolling hills. Located just 35km southeast of Florence, it serves as the gateway to the famous Vallombrosa Forest.
History
Reggello was originally known as Castelnuovo della Pieve di Cascia. Its strategic location at the intersection of the Cassia Vetus (the ancient Roman road now known as Setteponti) and Casentino valley trails made it a bustling marketplace.
The Florentine Influence: By the late 14th century, the area became a fortified outpost for the Florentine Republic.
The Name Change: In 1773, Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo renamed the community Reggello, derived from "rege," referring to ancient Lombard royal possessions.
Spiritual Roots: Much of the area's development was tied to the Benedictine monks of Vallombrosa, who managed the local forests and agriculture for centuries.
Description & Main Attractions
Reggello sits at an elevation of roughly 390 meters, looking out over the Arno Valley. It is characterized by stone architecture, terraced olive groves, and deep-green forests.
Vallombrosa Abbey: A majestic 11th-century Benedictine monastery. It’s famous for its serene cloisters and its "Experimental Arboretum," which houses thousands of tree species.
Castello di Sammezzano: One of Italy’s most stunning examples of Moorish-Orientalist architecture. While internal visits are rare due to its private ownership, its surrounding park with giant sequoias is a sight to behold.
Masaccio Museum: Located behind the Parish Church of San Pietro a Cascia, it houses the San Giovenale Triptych, the first known work by the Renaissance master Masaccio.
Typical Foods
Reggello is world-renowned for its Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has a distinctively low acidity and peppery finish due to the altitude of the groves.
The "Triptych of Flavors": Locally grown Zolfini beans (pale yellow, thin-skinned), Pink Chickpeas (Cecino Rosa), and the famous olive oil.
Tuscan Classics: You’ll find staple dishes like Ribollita (bread and vegetable soup), Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and Crostini Neri (chicken liver pate on bread).
Forest Bounty: In autumn, the menus shift toward chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, and wild boar.
Nature & Activities
The nature here is dramatic, transitioning from the Balze del Valdarno (yellow clay canyons) to the dense Pratomagno Mountains.
Hiking to "The King": The Vallombrosa Forest is home to the tallest tree in Italy—a Douglas Fir standing over 62 meters tall.
Outdoor Sports: The Foresta di Sant'Antonio offers extensive trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Shopping: For a different kind of "nature," the nearby The Mall Luxury Outlet in Leccio attracts fashion lovers from around the world.
Festivals
Rassegna dell’Olio Extravergine d’Oliva (Late Oct/Early Nov): The town's biggest event, celebrating the "green gold" with tastings, mill tours, and markets.
Exhibition of Wood Handicrafts (Tosi): Reflecting the town's history of furniture making using wood from the Vallombrosa forests.
Sagra del Fungo (Mushroom Festival): Often held in late summer/early autumn in the surrounding hamlets like Tosi or Saltino
History
Reggello was originally known as Castelnuovo della Pieve di Cascia. Its strategic location at the intersection of the Cassia Vetus (the ancient Roman road now known as Setteponti) and Casentino valley trails made it a bustling marketplace.
The Florentine Influence: By the late 14th century, the area became a fortified outpost for the Florentine Republic.
The Name Change: In 1773, Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo renamed the community Reggello, derived from "rege," referring to ancient Lombard royal possessions.
Spiritual Roots: Much of the area's development was tied to the Benedictine monks of Vallombrosa, who managed the local forests and agriculture for centuries.
Description & Main Attractions
Reggello sits at an elevation of roughly 390 meters, looking out over the Arno Valley. It is characterized by stone architecture, terraced olive groves, and deep-green forests.
Vallombrosa Abbey: A majestic 11th-century Benedictine monastery. It’s famous for its serene cloisters and its "Experimental Arboretum," which houses thousands of tree species.
Castello di Sammezzano: One of Italy’s most stunning examples of Moorish-Orientalist architecture. While internal visits are rare due to its private ownership, its surrounding park with giant sequoias is a sight to behold.
Masaccio Museum: Located behind the Parish Church of San Pietro a Cascia, it houses the San Giovenale Triptych, the first known work by the Renaissance master Masaccio.
Typical Foods
Reggello is world-renowned for its Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which has a distinctively low acidity and peppery finish due to the altitude of the groves.
The "Triptych of Flavors": Locally grown Zolfini beans (pale yellow, thin-skinned), Pink Chickpeas (Cecino Rosa), and the famous olive oil.
Tuscan Classics: You’ll find staple dishes like Ribollita (bread and vegetable soup), Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and Crostini Neri (chicken liver pate on bread).
Forest Bounty: In autumn, the menus shift toward chestnuts, porcini mushrooms, and wild boar.
Nature & Activities
The nature here is dramatic, transitioning from the Balze del Valdarno (yellow clay canyons) to the dense Pratomagno Mountains.
Hiking to "The King": The Vallombrosa Forest is home to the tallest tree in Italy—a Douglas Fir standing over 62 meters tall.
Outdoor Sports: The Foresta di Sant'Antonio offers extensive trails for mountain biking and horseback riding.
Shopping: For a different kind of "nature," the nearby The Mall Luxury Outlet in Leccio attracts fashion lovers from around the world.
Festivals
Rassegna dell’Olio Extravergine d’Oliva (Late Oct/Early Nov): The town's biggest event, celebrating the "green gold" with tastings, mill tours, and markets.
Exhibition of Wood Handicrafts (Tosi): Reflecting the town's history of furniture making using wood from the Vallombrosa forests.
Sagra del Fungo (Mushroom Festival): Often held in late summer/early autumn in the surrounding hamlets like Tosi or Saltino
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