Stia: River Views, Museums and Cultural History

Stia combines a distinctive riverside setting with a historic centre, several museums and events for a range of interests. Along the banks of the Torrente Staggia, near its confluence with the Arno, the town preserves characteristic features of its older layout. When planning your stay, you can therefore focus on different themes: local history, textiles and forestry, the starry sky or a particular type of event.

Historic centre and early local history

The historic centre is arranged around Piazza Tanucci, which is lined with arcades. It is a distinctive landmark in the townscape. Stia is also home to the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, which dates back to the 12th century. Another historic landmark is the Palagio Fiorentino, once a residence of the Guidi counts. The square, church and Palagio thus represent different aspects of local architecture and history.

The old wool mill is also one of Stia’s historic sites: it houses the Museo dell'Arte della Lana. The museum is therefore connected with a former textile-production site. Anyone interested in the history of crafts and production will find a different perspective here than at the religious and aristocratic buildings in the centre.

Museums with a range of themes

The Museo dello sci di Stia is housed in atmospheric rooms in the historic centre. It belongs to a group of museums whose buildings and themes are connected. Its location and the atmosphere of its rooms link the museum to the town centre; check the latest visitor information before your visit.

The Museo del Bosco e della Montagna features information and material evidence of traditional small-scale forestry industries. Its subject differs from both the wool museum and the ski museum: it focuses on historical activities and artefacts related to forests and mountains. Together, the museums offer different perspectives on local working and cultural history without covering the same subject.

Planetarium and views of the starry sky

The Planetario del Parco is close to the historic centre. Beneath its dome, the starry sky is recreated; visitors can identify constellations and learn to navigate by the stars. The exhibition also compares rocks from space with terrestrial rocks. These include meteorite samples and samples sourced mainly from the Apennines. The exhibition may be updated. If particular exhibits are important to your plans, check what is currently on display before your visit.

The planetarium offers a different focus from the historic sites and museums: rather than architectural history or traditional work, it explores the observation of the sky and rocks. This makes it especially interesting if you are interested in constellations and scientific topics.

Events throughout the year

Stia hosts the Biennale del Ferro Battuto every two years. Another event is Ci vuole il tempo che ci vuole, a summer arts and crafts event featuring a market and workshops, organised in collaboration with the Museo dell'Arte della Lana. Dates and programmes may vary; if you are planning your trip around this event, check the announced dates.

The Museo dell'Arte della Lana holds the traditional Festa del Battilano in May. The events therefore take place at different times of the year and have different focuses: ironwork at the biennial, crafts and workshops in summer, and the festival in May. If you are planning a trip around a particular event, its own date is what matters; do not assume that another event takes place at the same time.

Plan your stay around your interests

If you are mainly interested in historic buildings and the town centre, Piazza Tanucci, the Pieve and the Palagio each offer a different point of interest. The museums complement this local history with subjects such as wool, skiing and traditional small-scale forestry industries. The planetarium offers a different focus, with its starry sky and rock samples.

Discover more destinations: Corezzo, Duddova, Pergine Valdarno, Sodo, Ronzano, Montemignaio, Papiano, Rigo

For the wider travel overview: Arezzo.