Discover Leccio: Culture and Walking Trails in Tuscany

Leccio combines a clearly defined route through the landscape with a multifaceted cultural history. If you would like to focus your stay not only on sightseeing but also on physical activity, the Itinerario R21 provides a clearly described starting point for planning your day. At the same time, Castello di Sammezzano, San Salvatore a Leccio, and the history of Penco tell of different eras and forms of local remembrance.

A Route for Walking and Mountain Biking

The Itinerario R21 is a 4.6-kilometre public route with an estimated walking time of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It runs along the Torrente Marnia and leads to Leccio. You can walk the route or ride it by mountain bike. This makes it possible to incorporate the route into your travel plans according to your interests: the stated length and walking time provide specific guidance for an outing, while the option of riding it by mountain bike opens up another way to explore the area.

Castles and Churches with Histories of Their Own

One of the defining cultural features of the area is Castello di Sammezzano. It was built by Ferdinando in the 19th century. Another historical trace leads to the church of San Salvatore a Leccio: it was incorporated into the Castello di Leccio built on the Balze. This connection means that the church is not merely an addition to the townscape, but points to its integration into the history of the Castello.

San Salvatore a Leccio was commissioned by Pietro Leopoldo after the old church in the Castello collapsed. The religious heritage also includes a painted cross that has been restored. Those interested in church art and the development of religious sites can consider these points as distinct cultural highlights alongside the experience of the route.

Penco: Remembrance in Two Forms

A distinctive story is associated with Penco. Penco was a terracotta statue from the early years of the 19th century depicting a Napoleonic soldier, and it was installed at the La Loggia estate in Leccio. Today, Penco is considered a symbol of Leccio. In 2023, a new bronze statue of Penco was installed in the garden of Piazza Manin; it was inspired by a lead soldier from the Predieri collection.

Leccio therefore offers several points of interest for different day plans: you can plan the 4.6 kilometres of the Itinerario R21 as a walk or mountain-bike route, explore the history of Castello di Sammezzano and San Salvatore, or look for the newer depiction of Penco at Piazza Manin. The topics complement one another without requiring you to limit your stay to just one type of experience.

More Places to Include in Your Plans

If you would like to compare Leccio with other destinations, you can also include Meleto, Firenzuola, Scarperia, Pastine, Figline Valdarno, Chiocchio, Legri and Gavena in your further search.

For the broader travel overview: Florence.