Poppi: Church Art and Casentino

Poppi brings together sacred architectural history and the cultural heritage of Casentino. The Ecomuseo del Casentino has a site in Poppi and is a museum system spread across the area. It documents and promotes the region’s historical, artistic, natural and artisan heritage. When searching for hotels in Poppi, these themes can help shape your plans: would you like to focus mainly on churches and art, or include the nature and regional cuisine of Casentino alongside its buildings?

Churches and architectural history

The Abbazia di San Fedele brings together several historical periods. It was founded in the 10th century as the Benedictine abbey of Strumi and relocated within the walls of Poppi in the 12th century. Its crypt contains the mortal remains of the Blessed Torello da Poppi. Its furnishings include paintings by Jacopo Ligozzi and a 14th-century crucifix attributed to Giotto. The abbey’s history, the memory of Torello and different art-historical connections thus come together here.

The Propositura dei Santi Marco e Lorenzo also brings together different periods: the Pieve di San Marco dates from the 13th century, and the older Priorie di San Lorenzo was incorporated in 1784. Its furnishings include late Baroque altars and paintings by Francesco Morandini, known as il Poppi, as well as Jacopo Ligozzi. The building’s history and its artworks offer two different ways to view the church: its institutional development and its artistic furnishings.

The Oratorio della Madonna del Morbo, also known as the Chiesa della Madonna del Morbo, is in the centre of Poppi and was built between 1651 and 1659. This 17th-century sacred building is hexagonal. Its dome is clad with scales on the outside, while the interior features a starry-sky motif. The building’s form and decoration offer two specific details that help describe the oratory’s design.

Historic centre and seasonal activities

The Porta a Fronzola, now also known as the Porta Santi di Cascese, was built in 1261 and offers views over the Casentino Valley. QR codes and an audio guide lead visitors through the old streets of Poppi’s historic centre; check before your trip whether these services are available. You can explore historic buildings and digital navigation through the streets as different aspects of your visit to the town.

The Ecomuseo del Casentino’s seasonal programme includes cultural walks, tastings, educational workshops, theatre performances and film screenings. Dates and individual activities vary, so check what is on during your travel dates before your trip. The programme offers different ways to engage with culture—from walks and tastings to workshops, theatre and film.

Casentino: nature and regional cuisine

The natural heritage of the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi includes the chestnut, beech, oak and fir forests of Casentino. The Parco Zoo della Fauna Europea di Poppi covers about 50 hectares. The region’s nature-related attractions thus range from the forest types listed to the area of this named zoo; the two figures offer different ways of considering nature in Casentino.

The cuisine is also rooted in the region: Casentino’s cuisine, associated with Poppi, features truffles, mushrooms, chestnuts, potato tortelli, cheese, cured meats and ham from Casentino. This selection brings together ingredients and dishes with regional products.

Discover more destinations: Badia Prataglia, Camaldoli, Bibbiena, Monterchi, Sansepolcro, Colcellalto, Sant'Andrea di Sorbello, Palazzuolo.

For the main travel overview: Arezzo.