Ambra – Church Art, Palio and Alta Valdambra

The ancient centre of Ambra lies on a small hill between the left bank of the Ambra River and the ravine of the fortress moat. This location makes the town’s history immediately tangible. The medieval fortifications are still clearly visible in the townscape of the historic centre, providing a distinctive framework for a walk through the village.

Holiday apartment in Ambra between church art and fortifications

The visible medieval remains include fragments of the eastern defensive wall incorporated into houses, a doorway and a tower in the northern area, as well as traces of houses from the late 12th or early 13th century. The alley known as “gli sportici” leads to one of the ancient entrances to the Castrum of Ambra. Historical evidence therefore appears not only in a single building, but at several points throughout the townscape.

The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta was built at the end of the 16th century in place of a medieval church building that had been destroyed by the earthquake of 1558. Inside the church is a large painting of the Birth of Mary, created in 1600 by the artist Michelangelo Vestrucci, who came from Montevarchi. The combination of architectural history and painting makes Santa Maria Assunta an important cultural destination in Ambra.

The church of the Compagnia di Santa Croce also offers concrete details for a visit focused on cultural history. It was probably built in the 1570s and is located on present-day Via Duddova. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross; the design also includes a gabled façade, pilasters along the side walls and a round oculus. Inside the church is a 17th-century painting depicting the Finding of the True Cross.

Traditions with a character of their own

During the Palio della Palla Tonchiata, two pushers each roll tonchiate balls weighing between 80 and 90 kilograms through the village twice. Since 1998, Ambra has commemorated the theft of the tonchiata ball every year with a test of strength and skill. The event thus represents a local tradition that combines history with physical effort.

At the Sagra della Lumaca, lovers of this speciality can sample dishes featuring snails, including snails in sauce.

Accommodation between culture and trails

Ambra is one of the stops along the Sentiero dell’Alta Valdambra. The Sentiero dell’Alta Valdambra can be explored on foot, by mountain bike and on horseback.

If you are considering a holiday apartment in Ambra or a holiday home for your stay, you can give different levels of importance to culture, local traditions, special dishes and outdoor activities. The combination of medieval traces, church art, the Palio, the Sagra and the Sentiero dell’Alta Valdambra allows for varied planning without reducing Ambra to just one type of travel experience.

More places to include in your plans

To discover more destinations in the same area, you can also visit Capannole, Cennina, Badia A Ruoti, Levane, Badia Agnano, Pietraviva, San Pancrazio and San Leolino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bucine.