Montagnana – Art History, Sources and the Festa delle Frittelle

Montagnana Between Art History and Festive Tradition

Montagnana is a destination for you if you would like to get to know Tuscany through specific stories, art and special events. In Montagnana itself, memories of the preservation of important works of art come together with the Festa delle Frittelle and its various program items. In addition, historical traces lead to Montegufoni and the Museo d’arte sacra di Montespertoli.

Art History in Montagnana and Montegufoni

An important place for the preservation of art is Villa Bossi Pucci in Montagnana. During the Second World War, it was the first storage location for works of art. One particularly striking story concerns Botticelli’s painting “Pallade e il Centauro” from the Uffizi: it was removed from Villa Bossi Pucci in Montagnana (Montespertoli) in July 1944 and taken north. Rocca di Montegufoni also served as a refuge for works of art during the Second World War. These included the Venus, the Primavera and Giotto’s Maestà. The Rocca protected these works from destruction and looting. Anyone interested in the connection between local history and art will therefore find different forms of preservation here: a first storage location in Montagnana and a refuge in Montegufoni. In Montegufoni, older buildings and supply sites also tell the story of the community. Castello di Montegufoni was razed to the ground in 1135 after a dispute with the Florentine government. The remains of the Fonte di Montegufoni were a vital source of water for the local community. The Church of San Lorenzo a Montegufoni dates from the 13th century and acquired its present form through an expansion in the 17th century. On the circular route “Montegufoni and Its Springs”, there is water at the public fountain near San Lorenzo or at some of the houses along the route.

Museum Objects Originating from Montagnana

The Museo d’arte sacra di Montespertoli preserves several links to the Church of San Martino a Montagnana. On display is a painting by Domenico Pugliani entitled “Flagellazione di Cristo”; it comes from the church and is dated “1642?” in the catalogue. The museum also displays a chalice by Vittorio Querci from the 18th century, likewise from the Church of San Martino a Montagnana. The question-mark dating of the painting remains part of its historical classification.

Festa delle Frittelle and Two Ways to Discover Montagnana

The Festa delle Frittelle complements the historical themes with an events programme. As part of the festival in Montagnana Val di Pesa, there is a Motofrittellata open to everyone, a motorcycle tour through the surrounding hills. The programme also includes a Biciclettata, allowing Montagnana to be explored sustainably. Within the festival programme, a motorised tour and a bicycle tour thus stand side by side as clearly different ways of experiencing the area. Further destinations that you can discover on the travel portal: San Quirico In Collina, Torraccia.

For the higher-level travel overview: Montespertoli.