Holiday apartment in Montorsoli – Ridge Trail, Culture and Landscape

Montorsoli between monastic tradition and landscape

Montorsoli combines the town center with cultural history and a landscape that ranges from olive cultivation to the Ridge Trail. The town center of Montorsoli is grouped around a former monastery. Montorsoli is considered the birthplace of Giovanni Angelo Montorsoli, who is regarded as a sculptor, Servite friar and pupil of Michelangelo.

Olive groves and protected landscape

North of the district lies Villa Fontesecca amid olive-growing areas of considerable landscape value. The area along Via di Fontesecca lies entirely within landscape protection designation 24-1953 “Massiccio di monte Morello”, which extends across areas of the municipalities of Florence, Vaglia and Sesto Fiorentino.

The Ridge Trail with two landscapes and a forest section

Beyond Montorsoli, the Ridge Trail follows unpaved roads lined with cypresses, passing secluded farmsteads and dry-stone walls. On one side it offers views of Florence and the Arno Valley, and on the other of Mugello and the Apennines. Shortly before the former Banti hospital, the route leaves the paved road and leads into the Bosco della Garena. For route planning, the surface is a separate consideration: the route follows unpaved roads, later leaves the paved road and then continues into the Bosco della Garena.

Distance, stops and bus connection for planning your day

The “DA CERCINA ALLA STAZIONE DI MONTORSOLI” route takes about 70 minutes and is 4 km long. The route passes the Caldine Stazione and Pratolino stops, which are served by bus 25. For planning your day, the approximately 70 minutes and 4 km can be used as a general indication of time and distance. The Caldine Stazione and Pratolino stops mark two points along the route that are served by bus 25.

Museums, villas and gardens around Montorsoli

The Museo Bandini is located in the vicinity of Montorsoli and is a museum. The Villa Medici at Careggi and the Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati, which are considered palaces, are also located nearby. The Museo Stibbert is likewise in the area and is a museum. For those interested in culture, the area around Montorsoli therefore offers museums and palaces.

Il Pratone is located in the vicinity of Montorsoli and is a mountain. The Giardino di San Clemente, the Giardino della Fortezza and the Giardino Del Museo Archeologico are located in the area and are gardens. A biographical account places a villa referred to as Montorsoli three miles from Florence on the road to Bologna. For those interested in culture, the gardens and Il Pratone complement the museums and palaces with further landscape and local points of interest.

Discover more places

Further destinations: Bivigliano and Pratolino.

More about Vaglia.