Lastra A Signa – between the Arno, the Pesa and cultural heritage

Lastra A Signa stretches between hills and the Arno and Pesa rivers. Nature trails, historic architecture and the history of straw hat-making offer different ways to discover the area. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you are most interested in the landscape, sacred art or the area’s craft heritage.

Landscape and nature trails

A dense network of nature trails invites you to explore Lastra A Signa’s cultural and landscape heritage. For travelers who would also like to spend time in the countryside during their stay, this network of trails is a destination in its own right. The trails sit alongside the area’s cultural attractions: they draw attention to the landscape, while churches, collections and historical accounts reveal other aspects of local history.

Straw hat-making and local history

From the first decades of the 18th century, straw hat-making and trade developed into an important local activity in Lastra A Signa. A substantial part of the population was involved. The straw hat tradition adds craftsmanship and trade to the area’s history: alongside religious art and historic architecture, the work that employed many people is also part of this heritage. If you are interested in a destination’s cultural development, this subject offers a different perspective from visiting historic buildings.

Church and sacred art

The parish church of San Martino a Gangalandi was built around the year 1000 and has a classic Romanesque structure. San Martino a Gangalandi also houses a museum of sacred art, with paintings from the Late Gothic and Renaissance periods. The architecture and collection highlight different historical periods: the church represents an early Romanesque style, while the paintings reflect two later periods in art history. Together, they offer an opportunity to consider architecture and painting as distinct subjects in local history.

Malmantile: fortifications and Lecceto

Malmantile is a hamlet in the municipality of Lastra A Signa. The entire length of its medieval defensive wall has been preserved. The walls were built in the early 15th century to defend the hilltop. The surviving wall and its original defensive purpose go hand in hand: it tells the story both of the fortification’s layout and of its function. Another historic landmark in Malmantile is the Eremo di Lecceto. It was established as a hermitage in 1473; the church of Lecceto is an example of late 15th-century architecture. The fortification and hermitage thus represent different historical themes within the hamlet.

Caruso Museum and other historical references

At the Enrico Caruso Museum, visitors can hear the tenor’s voice on an interactive tour. Guided visits to the museum and the monumental park of Villa Bellosguardo can be arranged by reservation for groups of up to 20 people. The listed fee is €80.00, plus museum admission; confirm the arrangements before your trip. One more note for planning your visit: the Pieve dei Santi Ippolito e Cassiano is currently not open to visitors. Check its status again before your trip.

Historical accounts and social history also help complete the picture of the area. According to tradition, the ancient Romans are said to have removed the Masso della Gonfolina. The Spedale di Sant'Antonio was operating in 1421 and was intended to house poor people. These examples add questions about the stories passed down and the purposes of historical institutions to the themes of landscape, architecture and craftsmanship.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Ginestra Fiorentina, Malmantile, Vinci, Palazzuolo Sul Senio, Polvereto, Scandicci, Pontassieve, Le Vedute.

For the main travel overview: Florence.