Castelfranco Di Sopra: Tower, Churches and Balze

In Castelfranco Di Sopra, historic buildings, sacred art and the geological formations of the Balze del Valdarno come together. Recurring theatre events and the Infiorata in June add to these cultural themes. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether architecture and art, the landscape or a particular event date should be the focus of your trip.

Torre d’Arnolfo and the history of the town

Torre d’Arnolfo is the tower of Porta Campana and is also known as Torre Fiorentina or Torre dell’Orologio. The Florentine lily and the year 1300 are engraved into it. As the most visible surviving part of the former castle, the tower is also a landmark of Castelfranco di Sopra. Its different names and the engraved year give the building several historical points of reference, without losing sight of its character as a surviving part of the former castle.

Torre d’Arnolfo can be climbed. From the top, the view extends over Castelfranco, the foothills of the Apennines and the Balze. The tower thus connects the town’s history with a view of the landscape, which is also interesting as a travel theme in its own right. For visitors who enjoy combining historic architecture with an impression of the landscape, this view is a specific aspect to consider when planning.

Churches, architecture and works of art

The Chiesa S. Tommaso a Castelfranco was already there when Castello Franco was built in 1299. The original church is Romanesque. One distinctive architectural feature is its pronaos, a projecting entrance porch: it dates from the 15th century and has octagonal stone columns with Corinthian capitals. It was reconstructed in 1775. The building’s history can therefore be read in its different features—the Romanesque church, the later porch and its reconstruction.

The furnishings of the Chiesa S. Tommaso also offer a distinct connection to art. The church houses Florentine paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works from the former Augustinian convent in Castelfranco. Those interested in art history can consider this provenance alongside the church’s architecture: older building history and works from later centuries meet here.

The Chiesa di San Filippo Neri preserves works from the Florentine workshop of Andrea del Sarto and by Matteo Rosselli. The Badia di San Salvatore a Soffena provides a different historical note: it was built in the 11th century on the ruins of an ancient castle. Together with the Chiesa S. Tommaso, these sites show different connections between religious buildings, art and earlier periods of construction.

The Balze and the route

Le Balze del Valdarno, also known as Smotte, are a distinctive geological site made up of layered sands, clays and gravels. The forms are varied, the formations reach up to 100 metres in height and are cut through by deep ravines. This describes a landscape whose appeal lies in its varied shapes and visible geological layers. The Balze can also be seen from Torre d’Arnolfo, linking the historic building with the landscape.

The Sentiero dell’Acqua Zolfina offers another specific point of reference. After leaving Castelfranco di Sopra, it follows the Borro delle Fossate to Botriolo. It then runs along an unpaved road towards Riguzze.

Theatre and the Infiorata

A theatre season is held regularly at Teatro Capodaglio. It also hosts the Premio Nazionale di Teatro Wanda Capodaglio, a recurring national theatre competition. The Infiorata adds a different cultural note: in June, on the day of Corpus Christi, it decorates Castelfranco di Sopra’s main streets with flowers. The theatre programme and the flower-decorated streets are different reasons to consider the timing of a visit.

If a particular competition, performance or the Infiorata is a deciding factor for your trip, check the current dates before booking a hotel.

Discover more destinations: Montagnano, San Clemente In Valle, Falciano, Cortona, Subbiano, Padonchia, Toppole, Bucine.

For the wider travel overview: Arezzo.