Traversa – History, Routes and Culture

Traversa in Tuscany combines documented architectural history, historic transport routes and a sports program featuring hiking, mountain biking and running. If you would like to combine cultural experiences with active days during your trip, you will find various points of interest here: from Chiesa di San Jacopo alla Traversa and the German Military Cemetery at the Futa Pass to routes through the countryside.

Getting to and travelling through Traversa

The journey via the A1 motorway leads through the Pian del Voglio exit and continues via the Futa Pass, Traversa and Covigliaio. On the route from Pian del Voglio to Barberino di Mugello, Traversa can be reached from the hamlet of Bruscoli after approximately 7 km on Provincial Road 59. These two documented travel descriptions provide different geographical points of reference when looking for accommodation and placing the village in context. The historical development of Traversa is also closely connected with transport routes. After the Futa road was opened, economic activities and transport connections shifted to this new traffic artery. A road route documented in the 18th century led from the Futa Pass via Traversa and Covigliaio, passed Sasso di Castro, went around Monte Beni and reached Pietramala. The historic Osteria della Traversa already existed in the 18th century.

Churches, castle and local history

Chiesa di San Jacopo alla Traversa was shaped by several construction phases. The decision to build the new church was made in 1786, and it was built in 1788. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was redesigned with a portico and stained-glass windows featuring figurative depictions, made by the Fornaci Chini in Borgo San Lorenzo. In the early years of the same century, the entrance portal and portico were also created by Menghino Tinti based on a design by Enrico Lusini. South of the Bolognese road, a castle stands in Traversa that was probably built at the end of the 19th century by the Visconti family from Cremona on the remains of an old tower. Nearby is a small oratory dedicated to the Santissima Annunziata. It preserves a valuable decorative cycle by the Chini workshop in Borgo San Lorenzo. The Gerini family owned Castello della Traversa and acted as patrons of the adjoining Oratorio della Santissima Annunziata.

Hiking, sports and the countryside

For active days in Traversa, the “Area Verde Attrezzata” complex is part of the local offering; it was built with the support of the municipality of Firenzuola. The Anello di Traversa circular route leads to sections of the Via Flaminia and returns to the starting point along a shorter hiking trail. In the surrounding area, a cross stands at an altitude of 1,300 m on the summit of Sasso di Castro, fully illuminated by solar panels. Its illuminated silhouette can be seen from the entire valley. The local sports program also includes a mountain triathlon relay featuring horse riding, mountain biking and running. In addition, there is a 10 km semi-competitive running event held on the last Sunday in July. This combination makes choosing your travel dates particularly interesting if you would like to combine historic sites with outdoor activities. If you are considering Traversa as the location for your accommodation, you can base your decision on these two focal points: the historic buildings and transport routes, or the documented hiking and sports activities. If you would like to extend your search to another place, you can also look at Bruscoli.

For the overarching travel overview: Firenzuola.