Sant’Ansano: Pieve, art and the Cammino di Santo Sano

Sant’Ansano offers two distinct points of interest for a trip to Tuscany: the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista in Sant’Ansano in Greti, with its artistic and architectural history, and the Cammino di Santo Sano, a trekking route between Vinci and Sant’Ansano. This makes it possible to experience the town through both sacred art and architecture and walks along old paths. When choosing a destination, these different points of interest can help you decide whether Sant’Ansano suits your interests.

The Pieve’s architectural history

The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista is first mentioned in a document issued by Emperor Otto III in 998. The long side of the church, visible from the outside, makes it possible to imagine the former Romanesque church. The exterior wall, made of ashlar blocks of grey sandstone, also draws attention to the material and how it was worked. In the central nave, sculpturally decorated capitals support the wide arches; they are classified as sculptural elements of the 12th century. The Pieve thus brings together several aspects of architectural history: the idea of the former Romanesque building, the visible sandstone wall and the decorated capitals, which serve a structural function.

Paintings and relics

The Pieve’s paintings also come from different periods and depict different subjects. The 14th-century tempera altarpiece from the Giottesque school depicts Sant’Ansano and angels. Another painting, attributed to Rutilio Manetti, a Sienese painter, dates from 1625. It depicts Pope Alexander I being freed from prison by an angel. The two works therefore do not share the same subject: the altarpiece depicts Sant’Ansano and angels, while Manetti’s painting tells the story of Alexander I and his liberation. Art enthusiasts will find two clearly distinct subjects from different centuries here.

The Pieve’s history also includes a finger relic of Sant’Ansano, which the church was able to acquire. This should be distinguished from the relics of San Bonifacio, which have been kept in an urn in the right aisle since 1680. The two references concern different saints and each has its own place in the Pieve’s history. Together with the paintings and architectural details, they offer several ways to explore the town’s sacred history.

The Cammino di Santo Sano

The Cammino di Santo Sano is a trekking route connecting Vinci and Sant’Ansano along old paths. It passes through landscapes typical of Tuscany, offering a different focus from the Pieve’s artistic and architectural history. The route offers a tangible connection to outdoor activities, while the Pieve is chiefly associated with architecture, painting and religious history. The 2026 edition also includes a reenactment of the historic rite of the town of Vinci; the date range given is 1564–2026. This theme thus brings together a route between two towns and a historic rite as distinct aspects.

Choosing Sant’Ansano as a destination

First consider whether the Pieve, with its architectural history, paintings and relics, or the Cammino di Santo Sano is of particular interest for your trip to Tuscany. If you are planning with others, you can also discuss whether art and history or the trekking route better matches the group’s interests. This lets you assess Sant’Ansano as a possible destination based on specific themes before looking for suitable hotels for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bagno a Ripoli, San Casciano In Val Di Pesa, Marcoiano, Barberino Di Mugello, San Mauro, Campi Bisenzio, Meleto, Greve In Chianti

Go to the main travel overview: Florence.