Croce: Festivals, Wine and Cycling Circuits in Tuscany

Croce presents itself as a Tuscan village with several very different attractions: a walk, historic festival traditions, wine and challenging cycling races all feature side by side in the documented experiences. For you, this means a destination that can be explored according to your interests, whether through physical activity, regional cuisine or community events.

Walking, Forest and Cycling

Those who want to experience Croce on foot can explore the woodland areas at Tenuta La Selva in Croce di Lucignano. The Camminata alla Croce di Lucignano offers a specific connection to walking: in 2022, it was an approximately 7 km walk held in conjunction with the Festa della Madonna della Croce. The event also included a Nordic walking demonstration with an instructor. The occasion was therefore more than just a walk, combining the route with a guided sporting presentation. There are also clearly distinguishable formats for cycling enthusiasts. The Gran Prix of the Festa Popolare in Croce di Lucignano consisted of a flat, traffic-free road circuit measuring 1,000 m, which was completed three times. The Memorial Nerdi, by contrast, was a race on a challenging 18 km circuit. This was completed four times and ended after a 1 km climb in the Tuscan village. The two routes therefore represent different types of race: a short, flat circuit on the one hand, and a considerably longer course with a climb on the other.

Wine and Regional Cuisine

The Valdichiana 1 cycling tour passes Soc. Agr. Il Sosso in Località Le Selve, Croce di Lucignano, one of the wineries located along the route. A visit to Tenuta Il Sosso in Località Selve, Croce di Lucignano offers a dedicated wine experience. The connection with wine thus ranges from a winery located along the cycling tour route to a guided visit with tasting. There, a guided tour of the estate and cellar is combined with a tasting of five selected wines. This is accompanied by bruschetta with the estate’s extra virgin olive oil, local cured meats and traditionally produced cheeses. The festivals also have their own culinary highlights. At the Gran Prix of the Festa Popolare in Croce di Lucignano, participants received a voucher for a pici dish as part of their participation prize, which could be redeemed within the Festa Popolare. At the 41st Festa Popolare alla Croce, dinners featuring duck in porchetta, pizza and other specialities were also offered.

Festa Popolare and Rural Cultural Heritage

La Croce di Lucignano hosted the 41st edition of the Festa Popolare alla Croce. As part of this Festa, the Festa Contadina in Notturna included a re-enactment of threshing with singing and historic costumes. Those who seek not only landscapes and food during their stay, but also traditional performances, will find here an explicitly festival-oriented way to engage with the local culture.

To the overarching travel overview: Lucignano.