Holiday apartment in Duddova: trails, history and valley views

Duddova: valley views, trails and history

Duddova brings together landscapes, trails and visible traces of a long history. Duddova’s privileged location offers a spectacular view of the surrounding valley: green hills, cultivated fields, vineyards and olive groves shape the scenery. The valley view is complemented by specific trails and buildings: a circular route, CAI Trail 47, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, the lime kiln towards I Tribbi and I Casotti are among the features that define Duddova as both a village and a landscape. For planning your day, these local highlights can be combined with a meal outdoors.

Circular route, CAI Trail and Arbutus Road

The Ambra–San Martino–Duddova–Cennina–Vepri circular route is approximately 14 kilometres long and has 450 metres of elevation gain. For planning purposes, distance and elevation gain are two separate figures: the approximate route length describes the extent of the circuit, while the elevation gain indicates ascent as an additional planning factor. The circular route reaches Duddova via CAI Trail 47. The combination of the approximate distance and elevation gain provides a concrete basis for planning the day’s itinerary with suitable breaks.

The Alta-Valdambra CAI Trail 47 also passes through Duddova and can be travelled on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback. Another connection is provided by the Arbutus Road. It runs from San Martino via Podere Rota and Cennina to Duddova. A map, route data and a GPX download are available for La via dei corbezzoli. Thus, in addition to the circular route, a trail running through Duddova and a connection linking several villages remain part of the described trail network.

A village with a long historical legacy

Duddova was probably established between the 5th and 6th centuries AD. The village name also points to a distant past: it is said to derive from an ancient Ostrogothic leader named Dudda. The first construction of the present-day Church of San Michele Arcangiolo is dated to the 13th century, while its bell tower is more than 20 metres high and was built in the early 20th century. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo was dependent on the Abbey of San Pietro a Ruoti for a long time.

Church, lime kiln and I Casotti

Immediately after leaving Duddova towards I Tribbi stands an old lime kiln, probably dating from the 18th century. Near Duddova’s church are two identical buildings standing close together, known as I Casotti.

Osteria and regional wines

Osteria La Bottega di Duddova serves lunch and dinner outdoors in a medieval village, accompanied by selected wines from the region.

Further places for planning your trip

Agazzi, Monte San Savino, Falcigiano, Chitignano, Gricignano, Penna, Bucine and Anghiari

For the higher-level travel overview: Arezzo.