Holiday apartment in Cetica: culture, landscape and local traditions

Cetica: scattered settlements amid landscape and local history

Cetica consists of several small, scattered groups of settlements along the upper course of the Torrente Solano. The landscape includes stacks of timber and cultivated terraces. Bagno di Cetica lies in a small valley with natural meadows, between beech and chestnut woodland.

The ecomuseum, festivals and traces of charcoal making

The Ecomuseum of the Charcoal Maker is housed in the former village school of Cetica, opposite the old Romanesque church of Sant'Angelo. The ecomuseum's green area includes reconstructed charcoal burners' huts and a charcoal-burning pit. Both facilities were created for educational and demonstration purposes.

In July, the potato festival, also known as Festa a Cetica, is one of the ecomuseum's regular events. In August or September, the porcini mushroom festival is another regular event. The two festivals bring different products and seasons to the local events calendar.

San Michele Arcangelo: church art and medieval history

The church of San Michele Arcangelo is also known as San Angelo, probably has Vallombrosan monastic origins, and displays Romanesque architectural features. Inside the church is a panel depicting the Madonna and Child from the 15th century by Pesellino. It also contains a triptych dated 1357, depicting the Madonna, Child and saints, which was recently attributed to the stylistic following of Taddeo Gaddi. The two works of art therefore bring different dates into the same church interior. The historical picture of Cetica also includes the Castello di S. Angelo: it was once the court of the Counts Guidi and was destroyed in 1290 by the Florentines on their return from a campaign in the Aretino area.

From Bagni di Cetica to the Pratomagno summit meadows

From Bagni di Cetica, you can reach the extensive summit meadows of Pratomagno, which are considered a destination for excursions. The starting point is in the Bagni di Cetica area, while the destination lies in the Pratomagno summit meadows. Thus, the excursion area described extends from the valley to the higher landscape areas.

The mill, Patata Rossa and living traditions

At the Molino del Balenajo, visitors can still learn about the local technique of stone milling today. The Patata Rossa di Cetica is closely connected with the local area and is suitable for traditional dishes such as tortelli and gnocchi. At the Scuola dei Nonni, residents are available to share their history, give demonstrations and recount their own experiences. I Vecchioni is a local tradition in which the New Year is welcomed with singing, jumping and dancing, accompanied by accordion, mandolin and guitar. Alongside the historic sites, craft demonstrations, personal stories and musical customs are therefore also part of Cetica's cultural life.

More destinations for your planning

Also discover Duddova, Gricignano, Subbiano, Bibbiena, Civitella In Val Di Chiana, Falcigiano, Sestino and Poppi.

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