Montanare: Hiking, History and Valdichiana

Montanare combines paths through the countryside with local history and religious tradition. The parish of Montanare is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, thereby providing a clear cultural focal point. The history of the place goes back further: the historical place name “Montanina” corresponds to today’s Montanare; Montanina was located on a road from Castiglion Fiorentino. The place name Montanare thus stands alongside the older form Montanina and its connection to Castiglion Fiorentino.

Hiking and landscapes around Montanare

For active days, the P8 trekking route offers a clear course: it leads from Montanare to Monte Maestrino. The CAI hiking trail no. 50 passes through the Monte Castel Giudeo protected area and runs from Passignano sul Trasimeno to La Verna. The routes have different focuses: P8 connects the village with a mountain destination, while no. 50 identifies the protected area and a route between Passignano sul Trasimeno and La Verna. This means that one day of hiking can begin in the village and lead to a mountain destination, while the other route connection links further places. The connection from Montanare to Monte Maestrino thus remains a distinct route reference alongside the course through the protected area and between Passignano sul Trasimeno and La Verna.

The mountain Monte Maestrino and the mountain Monte Castel Giudeo are located in the immediate surroundings of Montanare. The mountain Alta San Egidio and the island of Isola Maggiore are also in the surrounding area. One route offers beautiful views of the Valdichiana, particularly of Sepoltaglia. The mountain destinations and the valley view of Sepoltaglia each form separate landscape references for the area around Montanare.

Culture, memorial sites and regional discoveries

The Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca and the Museo Diocesano Del Capitolo are located in the surroundings of Montanare. The monastery of Le Celle is also nearby. The Villa Guglielmi- Isola Maggiore palace is likewise located in the surroundings of Montanare. For those interested in culture, the selection ranges from the parish through two museums and the monastery of Le Celle to the Villa Guglielmi- Isola Maggiore palace. The parish remains associated with Montanare itself, while the museums, monastery and palace are destinations in the surrounding area.

Montanare is also the third stage of a historical memorial trail commemorating the Nazi-fascist atrocities in the area of Cortona. On June 6, 1944, a skirmish took place at Palazzo Patrizi, near the rectory, between a group of partisans and German troops. The trail thus connects Montanare with the area of Cortona, while the specific site of the incident was Palazzo Patrizi, near the rectory.

The local tradition also includes the Festa di San Giovanni Battista, which was celebrated annually in Montanare on the last Sunday in June. The date, the last Sunday in June, anchors the celebration in the village’s annual calendar.

Discover more places

More places to choose from: Ossaia, Monsigliolo, Mercatale, Pietraia, Torreone, Sant'agata, Chianacce, Riccio.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cortona.