Leccio: Itinerario R21 and Local History

Get to know Leccio through a clearly defined route and several historical connections. Itinerario R21 runs along the Torrente Marnia to Leccio; San Salvatore a Leccio, the castles and Penco each offer their own local stories. This gives you a choice when planning your trip between a focus on physical activity and various cultural and historical topics.

Itinerario R21: Route and Walking Time

Itinerario R21 is a 4.6-kilometre public route along the Torrente Marnia that leads to Leccio. The estimated walking time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. Distance and time answer different planning questions: the number of kilometres describes the route’s length, while the estimated walking time provides a guide to how long it takes to walk. The route can be used on foot or by mountain bike. If you plan to walk, you can consider the distance and time estimate together; mountain biking is another way to travel the same route.

Castle Names and Church History

Castello di Sammezzano was built by Ferdinando in the 19th century. Castello di Sammezzano and Castello di Leccio refer to different historical landmarks: San Salvatore a Leccio was incorporated into Castello di Leccio, which was built on the Balze. After the old church inside the castle collapsed, Pietro Leopoldo commissioned San Salvatore a Leccio. The church’s history thus connects the castle complex with the reason for the later commission. The painted cross of San Salvatore a Leccio was also restored. This adds a specific object to the architectural context; the castle, church and cross therefore represent different aspects of the same local history.

Penco: From Terracotta to Bronze

The terracotta statue of Penco dates from the early years of the 19th century, depicted a Napoleonic soldier and was placed at the La Loggia estate in Leccio. In 2023, a new bronze statue of Penco was installed in the garden of Piazza Manin in Leccio, inspired by a lead toy soldier from the Predieri collection. Penco is now considered a symbol of Leccio. The two depictions differ in their details: the terracotta statue focuses on the figure of a Napoleonic soldier, while the bronze statue’s inspiration from a lead toy soldier is part of its creation story. Penco’s place in local history thus stretches from the older terracotta figure to a later bronze interpretation.

Leccio as a Destination for Your Hotel Search

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Leccio, you can first choose your focus based on what you want to experience: R21 offers a specific route with an estimated walking time, while the history of San Salvatore a Leccio and Penco introduces other cultural topics. Use this distinction to decide what you would like to include in your plans. When searching, check each hotel’s offering against your travel needs.

Discover more destinations: Marcignana, Tavarnelle Val Di Pesa, Scarperia, Cerreto Guidi, Empoli, San Pierino, Ostina, Vaglia

For the main travel overview: Florence.