Pratovecchio – Art, Monasteries and Trails in Casentino

Pratovecchio amid the Casentino Forests and Art History

Pratovecchio is situated in the characteristic landscape of Casentino. The municipality of Pratovecchio Stia is defined by impressive forests and places of faith. At the same time, the area combines a rich cultural history with concrete opportunities to explore the surroundings using hiking maps, historic routes and cycle paths. Pratovecchio therefore appeals to travellers who do not wish to view nature and culture separately.

Forests, hiking trails and orientation in the national park

Pratovecchio is home to the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna. For orientation, the 6th edition of the official hiking map at a scale of 1:25,000 is available. It shows hiking trails, mountain-bike routes, forest roads, refuges, equipped areas, tourist sites and information points. The map therefore shows not only routes, but also various points of interest within the protected area.

Hiking maps and guides to the national park can be purchased at the office of the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi in Pratovecchio. Those wishing to plan their days around the town will therefore find a practical point of contact there for selecting and interpreting the documented routes. Another historic connection through the landscape is the “Vecchia strada della Consuma”, an ancient route between the Passo della Consuma and the Casentino Valley.

Art and Sacred History in the Town

The Sala Espositiva contains works from the Santa Maria della Neve monastery in Pratovecchio. Among the works mentioned is a panel of the Madonna della Neve, created at the beginning of the 15th century. The Propositura del Santissimo Nome di Gesù also contains paintings from the 17th century. A Robbiana terracotta work was reinstalled in 1947 in the parish church of Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù.

The town’s history is also closely connected with artists and religious buildings. Pratovecchio is the birthplace of Paolo di Dono, known as Paolo Uccello, a Renaissance artist and master of perspective. In the historic centre, Piazza Paolo Uccello forms the focal point; it is dedicated to the Renaissance painter. The Camaldolese nuns’ monastery was founded in the 12th century by the Guidi counts. The church of the monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista was consecrated in 1143. These different periods – from the 12th century through the Renaissance and to 17th-century art – give cultural orientation in Pratovecchio a clearly recognisable historical depth.

Historic Routes and a Destination on the Arno

A hill road leads from Pratovecchio to Castello di Romena. For another way to experience the surroundings, the Ciclopista dell’Arno has a terminus in Pratovecchio. It is possible to return by bus and train. Thus, in addition to the designated hiking and mountain-bike routes, the documented surroundings of the town also include a historic road connection, a castle destination and a cycle path with a return option.

If you would like to explore other destinations in this selection, you can find [Montevarchi](Montevarchi), [Oliveto](Oliveto), [Pian Di Sco](Pian Di Sco), [Pieve al Toppo](Pieve al Toppo), [Chiusi Della Verna](Chiusi Della Verna), [Palazzuolo](Palazzuolo), [Toppole](Toppole) and [Pieve Santo Stefano](Pieve Santo Stefano).

For the higher-level travel overview: Arezzo.