Borgo alla Collina: History, Art and Cycling Routes

Borgo alla Collina lies on a hilltop ridge between the Arno and Solano valleys. From here, the view stretches across the Casentino, with its fortresses, parish churches, mountains and forests. The destination combines a medieval townscape with religious art, historic buildings and sections of the Ciclovia dell’Arno. If you are planning a stay, you can decide which of these highlights to focus on depending on whether you are most interested in the town’s history, religious art or a cycling route.

Townscape and Orientation

The historic Borghetto has preserved its medieval layout: the narrow streets wind into one another, and the houses stand close together. This gives the townscape a different emphasis from one made up of individual, detached buildings. Borgo alla Collina also sits on the ridge between two valleys; the view across the Casentino takes in both the landscape and its fortresses and parish churches.

For road directions: after Passo della Consuma, you can reach Borgo alla Collina by road after about 20 kilometres. This distance is approximate, and road conditions may change. If you are planning the drive, it is therefore worth checking local conditions before setting off.

Castle, Gates and Religious Heritage

The castle’s history can be traced through two widely separated points in time. It dates from the 11th or 12th century and was given to the humanist Cristoforo Landino, secretary of the Republic of Florence, towards the end of the 15th century. Porta Orgi is also part of the town’s history: it is the only one of the four original historic gates still standing.

A path to the Oratorio di Sant’Agata di Orgi starts at Porta Orgi. The oratory dates from the 10th century and was altered in later centuries. This building thus brings together an early date of origin and later changes. The Cristo di Orgi is also part of local religious tradition: it was carried in processions during times of hardship caused by agricultural conditions.

The remains of Cristoforo Landino are kept in the Church of San Donato. The triptych Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine by the Master of Borgo can also be seen there. The castle, Porta Orgi, the oratory and the church offer different points of interest if you are interested in the town’s architectural and religious history.

Cycling and Events

The Ciclovia dell’Arno includes an approximately four-kilometre section from Ponte a Poppi to Borgo alla Collina, which follows the Arno and the Torrente Solano to the town. Another section runs from Borgo alla Collina to Pratovecchio Stia, entirely along a shared cycle and pedestrian path beside the Arno, all the way to the centre of Stia. It is described as safe. The main difference in the descriptions is their focus: an approximate length is given for the route to Borgo, while the route to Stia is described in terms of its continuous path type and destination. Check local conditions before cycling.

Another event in the annual calendar is the Fiera del Bestiame, held every year in Borgo alla Collina on the first Monday in August. If you want to plan your trip around the fair, check the date in advance. This will help you decide whether your stay should focus more on historic sites and routes or on visiting during this recurring event.

Discover more destinations: Caiano, Cortina.

Go to the main travel overview: Castel San Niccolò.