San Leolino

San Leolino combines a distinctive historical setting with the Tuscan landscape of rolling hills, ancient cypresses, olive groves, and vineyards. Those looking for accommodation here will find a place whose character is shaped above all by its cultural heritage, regional olive and wine culture, and paths through the surrounding landscape.

Castle and Pieve: History on Site

The surrounding wall of the Castello di San Leolino stands on a sandstone promontory and retains its original elliptical shape. A document from the end of the 13th century mentions the castle; it may have been built as early as the preceding century. The medieval castle of San Leolino was owned by the Counts Guidi. This chronology makes the site particularly interesting: the written mention is specifically documented, while the earlier origin remains identified as a possibility. The Pieve di San Leolino is also part of the historic surroundings. It became a parish church between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Its present appearance is the result of alterations from the late 17th through the entire 18th century. The house of Quirina Mocenni Magiotti is also located in the courtyard of the San Leolino rectory complex. Between 1802 and 1847, she wrote numerous letters to the poet Ugo Foscolo from San Leolino. The history of the place thus extends from medieval ownership structures to the literary history of the 19th century.

Paths Between Olive Groves, Vineyards, and Forest

San Leolino can also be experienced through its landscape. CAI Trail No. 345 passes by San Leolino. Beyond that, the landscape transitions from vineyards and olive groves into forest, with sweet chestnut trees, beeches, downy oaks, and strawberry trees. Trail No. 345 is classified as walkable without difficulty. For a stay combining culture and a hike, this route therefore offers a clearly described change of landscape, without requiring the historical sites and nature to be considered separately. The circular route La Via dell’Olio also passes through San Leolino. The name points to the importance of olive culture for the town, which is particularly evident during the Festa dell’Olio. This usually takes place on the first Sunday in December in the premises of the Circolo di San Leolino APS and along the town’s streets. In the morning, the program includes a hike through the forests; a visit to the Frantoio dell’Olivone is also part of the festival schedule. The event thus combines local life, forest landscape, and olive processing.

Olive Oil, Crostini, and Historic Wines

At the Festa dell’Olio and the eighth edition of the Olio Nuovo della Valdambra 2024 competition in San Leolino, the Olio della Biodiversità della Valdambra was presented. It is an extra virgin olive oil made from olives from the collection garden for olive biodiversity. Another culinary tradition is the Sagra del Crostino, which takes place in the first week of June and has been held for more than fifty years. For crostino nero, ground chicken livers are sautéed with extra virgin olive oil and served on slices of bread soaked in broth or lightly toasted. The wine tradition also dates back a long way. In 1427, the Trebbiani and Vermigli produced in the areas of San Leolino, Cennina, and Galatrona were among the more valuable wines recorded in the Florentine land register. Trebbiani were white wines and Vermigli were red wines. For further orientation, you can also view Levane, Badia A Ruoti, Pietraviva, Pogi, Cennina, Badia Agnano, Ambra and Capannole.

For the broader travel overview: Bucine.