La Romola: Churches, Hiking Trails and Activities in Tuscany

La Romola combines historic religious buildings with paths through the Tuscan landscape and various activities on site. If you would like to bring together culture, exercise and a manageable connection to the local area during your trip, you will find several clearly distinct points of interest here: a 17th-century chapel, a parish church with a long documented history, a bouldering gym and various routes around the town.

Religious Art and Local History

The Cappella dei Tani in La Romola was built in 1644. Another important trace of the town’s history is the parish church of Santa Maria alla Romola, which is first mentioned in a document dated January 25, 1298. Its documented history therefore reaches significantly further back than that of the Cappella dei Tani. From an art-historical perspective, the parish church’s cycle of dome frescoes is particularly interesting. It depicts the Coronation of the Virgin and dates from 1753 to 1755. Historically, the Cappellina was also the center of the Corpus Christi procession, a fair held on the second Tuesday in July and the mass on August 5. These details point to different aspects of the town: its religious furnishings, its long ecclesiastical tradition and the former importance of communal celebrations.

Trails, Forest and Exercise

The Poggio Valicaia Museum Park is located near La Romola. It is a large wooded area for activities and entertainment, complementing the historic attractions with a distinctly scenic destination. Those who prefer to plan their stay around a designated route can consider Route ITINERARIO 3. It leads from San Casciano via San Martino ad Argiano, Cerbaia, La Romola, Chiesanuova, Sant'Andrea in Percussina and Spedaletto back to San Casciano. La Romola is therefore a stop within a larger route, not its sole starting or ending point. For a hike with a different character, Via della Poggiona follows a flat, scenic unpaved road. Cypresses and old farmhouses accompany this route. Another hike across the hills of La Romola begins near the Cappellina at the entrance to the town. Thus, a flat route with rural scenery and a hike through the hills are presented as two differently described options. A sporting activity is also documented: Circolo ARCI La Romola has a bouldering gym. Admission requires an ARCI membership card and €5 per entry. This specific admission requirement is part of the planning and distinguishes the bouldering gym from the freely described trails and scenic areas.

Getting There and Choosing a Location

La Romola can be reached via Via Volterrana from both Chiesanuova and Cerbaia in Val di Pesa. For orientation, access from the two named directions is therefore documented. Together with Route ITINERARIO 3, the hikes, the museum park and the religious sights, this creates a destination whose focus can be set differently depending on the desired daily itinerary. Other places in the same local group: Mercatale (Mercatale), Bargino (Bargino), Cerbaia (Cerbaia), Montefiridolfi (Montefiridolfi), Ponte Rotto (Ponte Rotto), San Pancrazio (San Pancrazio).

For the higher-level travel overview: San Casciano In Val Di Pesa.