San Godenzo: Hiking and Cultural Heritage

San Godenzo combines trails through mountain and valley landscapes with art and architectural history. In October, the Ballottata, a chestnut festival in Castagno d’Andrea, adds to the appeal. When planning your stay, you can decide which to prioritize: hiking, cultural attractions or a visit during the festival.

Mountain scenery and hiking trails

The Alpe di San Benedetto complex lies entirely within the municipality of San Godenzo and the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park. Monte Falterona rises to 1,654 metres, and the complex is located on its western slopes. The Arno rises on a slope of Monte Falterona. The landscape around San Godenzo thus brings together mountain ridges, protected areas and the source of a well-known river.

For a hike with viewpoints, the Tre Faggi–Fontanelle trail takes about 2.5 hours and offers views of the Mugello and Sieve valleys. The Sentiero Natura near Castagno d’Andrea offers a different perspective: It is just over three kilometres long and reveals geological, natural and historical traces. The two descriptions emphasize different things—views and approximate duration in one case, and the trail’s length and the traces along the route in the other. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Nearby, Acquacheta Waterfall plunges more than 70 metres. The trail there takes about two hours uphill through the valley. As rough time guides, that means around two hours for the hike to the waterfall and about 2.5 hours for Tre Faggi–Fontanelle. These are estimates; check conditions before your hike.

Art and history in Castagno d’Andrea and San Godenzo

Castagno d’Andrea is in the municipality of San Godenzo and is the birthplace of Renaissance painter Andrea del Castagno. The park’s visitor centre houses a permanent exhibition about his work. Check the current visitor arrangements if you plan to include the exhibition in your itinerary.

San Gaudenzio Abbey in San Godenzo is also an important destination for art and architecture enthusiasts. It is one of the significant examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. Works in the abbey include a wooden sculpture of Saint Sebastian by Baccio da Montelupo, a polyptych by Bernardo Daddi from 1333, and a 16th-century Annunciation painting from the school of Andrea del Sarto. There is also a large Dante mosaic in the apse vault. The dates refer to two different points in time: The polyptych is dated 1333, while the Annunciation painting is attributed to the 16th century. Check the current visitor arrangements before your visit.

Getting there and practical planning

From Florence, the SS 67 leads through Dicomano to San Godenzo. A provincial road continues via Castagno d’Andrea to Fonte del Borbotto on the slopes of Falterona. Check road conditions and any restrictions along your route before setting off. On the Florence–Faenza railway line, Dicomano is the recommended stop; buses continue from there to San Godenzo and Castagno d’Andrea. Since schedules are important for your travel dates, check connections in advance.

The Ballottata in October

The Ballottata takes place in Castagno d’Andrea in October. This chestnut festival features tastings of roasted chestnuts, castagnaccio and other specialties. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, confirm the dates for the relevant year before booking.

Discover more destinations: Impruneta, Gigliola, Montelupo Fiorentino, Romita, Massarella, Capraia E Limite, Turignano, Signa

For the main travel guide: Florence.