Pieve Santo Stefano between the Tiber, art and the paths of Saint Francis

Pieve Santo Stefano lies on the right bank of the Tiber, near the confluence with the Ancione. The town combines a distinctive riverside setting with art, a culture of remembrance and the paths of Saint Francis. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Pieve Santo Stefano or a holiday home as a base for varied days out, you will find cultural discoveries here as well as historical routes and landscapes.

Holiday apartment in Pieve Santo Stefano between museum, art and history

A special cultural attraction is the Piccolo museo del diario. It is an intense, multisensory and interactive museum experience about the Archivio Diaristico Nazionale and the autobiographical testimonies preserved there. At its heart are the writings of ordinary people who recorded the history of Italy from an unusual personal perspective. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 09:30–12:30 and 15:00–18:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00–13:00 and 15:00–18:00.

The religious buildings also provide an introduction to the area’s art history. The Collegiata di Santo Stefano houses the works “Assunzione di Maria tra Santi” and “San Sebastiano alla colonna” from the workshop of Andrea Della Robbia. The Santuario della Madonna dei Lumi is a church affiliated with the Collegiata di Santo Stefano. The painting “Madonna del Pontevecchio” is attributed to Stefano Bardini. In the village of Montalone, the original circular layout, with houses arranged around the parish church, preserves a distinctive historic character. The church of Santi Giacomo e Cristoforo there also houses a panel created in 1505 featuring the “Resurrezione di Cristo” by Gerino da Pistoia.

The paths of Saint Francis and the landscape along the Tiber

Pieve Santo Stefano is the destination of the first stage of the Cammini di Francesco from La Verna. At the same time, it is the starting point of the second stage, which leads to Sansepolcro through the Riserva Naturale dell'Alpe della Luna. The Cammino di Francesco from La Verna to Assisi is marked with its own waymarkers in both directions.

The Eremo di Cerbaiolo offers panoramic views over the Alta Valle del Tevere. If you are planning a detour to the Eremo di Cerbaiolo, it is advisable to check the opening hours in advance.

Historical traces and local traditions

The Palazzo Pretorio acquired its present form at the beginning of the 14th century and was remodelled at the end of the 16th century. Around Pieve Santo Stefano, you can see the houses of the former castle of Roti. The castle stood in a strategically important position and overlooked the valleys of the Torrente Isola and the Tiber. Giovanni Papini wrote his most important works in Bulciano. The connection with the history of Saint Francis reaches back to 1216: at that time, the people of Pieve donated the old Cerbaiolo monastery to Saint Francis when he passed through the town on his way to La Verna.

The fixed dates in the local calendar include the celebrations in honour of the Madonna dei Lumi on 7 and 8 September. They take place as a centuries-old local tradition. The Sagra del Prugnolo and the Giornate del pastore reached their 22nd edition in 2026.

If you would like to discover other places in the wider area, from here you can also compare Foiano Della Chiana, Loro Ciuffenna, Castiglion Fibocchi, Monte San Savino, Giovi-Ponte Alla Chiassa, San Clemente In Valle, Castel Focognano and Montevarchi.

For the wider travel overview: Arezzo.