San Martino Alla Palma

San Martino Alla Palma combines a hilly landscape shaped by olive and wine production with historical and artistic themes. The church is located on the Poggi della Romola, which border the Florentine Arno Valley. This means that both the history of a medieval panel painting and views of the hilly landscape can be central to planning your trip. If you are looking for hotels for your stay, you can decide in advance whether to focus your visit mainly on art and local history or on a hike with panoramic views.

Church and Art of the Early 14th Century

The painting “Madonna con Bambino in trono tra angeli e Santi nel giardino del paradiso” is dated to the period from 1300 to 1324 and attributed to the Master of San Martino alla Palma. Its title refers to a Madonna and Child enthroned, angels and saints, and the Garden of Paradise. The large panel was made for the church of San Martino alla Palma when the building was expanded in the early 14th century. Its context therefore includes not only its art-historical attribution but also its specific connection to the church’s expansion. For visitors interested in culture, this connection offers a way to explore local history: the painting’s title, date, and commission point to different aspects of the same work. The relationship between the panel painting and the expansion makes the building’s history a tangible part of art history.

Hill Country and a CAI Circular Hike

The landscape can also be explored through a specific activity. The CAI hike “Tra colline e orizzonti lontani, l’anello di Scandicci,” dated January 22, 2026, is a circular route. It passes through San Martino alla Palma and continues to Pian dei Cerri. The route combines panoramic views and biodiversity, with vistas extending to the Apennines and the Alps. Thus, alongside a view of local history, there is a landscape perspective along a clearly named circular route. If you are planning a hike for a specific date, check the details of the relevant CAI offering.

Gino Terreni and His Works

Another part of the area’s history is connected to the artist Gino Terreni. He spent the last years of his life in San Martino alla Palma, in the municipality of Scandicci, where he created works and worked in a studio. His works include pieces related to the “Madri dei Martiri di San Martino” and the “senza volto” series. His connection to the area, studio, and works offer a different perspective on the place from the church’s medieval panel painting. The two work titles provide concrete points of reference for exploring Terreni’s art. Those interested in exploring art as part of local history can consider Terreni’s works and the church’s art as distinct themes for a stay.

Choose the Focus of Your Stay

These themes appeal to different interests: the panel painting leads to the church’s history, Terreni’s works offer another artistic connection, and the CAI circular hike focuses on panoramic views and biodiversity. When planning your trip, you can therefore first decide which of these themes you would like to prioritize.

Discover more destinations: San Vincenzo A Torri, San Michele A Torri.

Return to the main travel overview: Scandicci.