Marti: Castle Remains, Church Architecture and a Medieval Townscape

Marti combines a well-preserved medieval townscape with traces of a long history of settlement and castles. The Pieve di Santa Maria Novella, the Bastione archaeological site and the collections of the Antiquarium di Marti reveal different sides of the town. If you are considering Marti as a destination for a stay, here you will find specific points of interest for a focus on history, architecture and archaeology.

Castle and Local History

The settlement of Marti arose in the early Middle Ages on a pre-existing Etruscan settlement site. Around the year 1000, one of the most important castles of the Pisan Upezzighi family was built here. In 1435, Florence ordered the castle to be dismantled and destroyed. The town’s history can therefore be read not only in its surviving buildings: the archaeological remains of the fortress are also among Marti’s important historical points of reference.

The historic centre preserves a well-preserved medieval town plan. This offers a distinct way to explore the town’s history, alongside the excavated remains at Bastione. Those interested in historic settlement patterns can distinguish between these two aspects: the inherited layout of the centre and the archaeological evidence of the former castle.

The Pieve di Santa Maria Novella

The Pieve di Santa Maria Novella was built in 1332. Its exterior is built entirely of brick; blind arches adorn the main façade and the exterior sides. The façade also incorporates ceramic bowls dating from the 13th century, made in Pisan and Hispanic workshops. The church thus features several details that can be distinguished when looking closely at its architecture: the continuous brickwork, the arch forms and the embedded ceramics.

The church adds a tangible building to the picture of Marti’s medieval history. Together with the preserved layout of the historic centre and the former castle, it brings different historical themes of the town to life without reducing them to the same period or the same kind of evidence.

The Bastione Archaeological Site

The Bastione archaeological site lies on the summit where the medieval castle of Marti once stood. An educational trail passes exposed sections of the fortress walls and the remains of ancient buildings. The site also includes a rare medieval brick kiln. Bastione offers panoramic views over the Valdarno.

The archaeological route begins at the Etruscan burial site known as “Gina”. From there, it follows an ancient road up the hillside to the fortress. The route and destination thus connect the Etruscan burial site, the hillside path and the castle remains in a clear historical context. This distinguishes the walk from a visit to the town centre: here, the ascent to the fortress and the archaeological traces at Bastione take centre stage.

Finds at the Antiquarium di Marti

The Antiquarium di Marti collects and preserves finds from Marti Castle and the surrounding area. It displays Etruscan, medieval and modern-era objects in temporary exhibitions; the selection of exhibits may change. The collection includes ceramics from the lower Valdarno dating from between the 11th and 16th centuries. It also includes bricks from a late-medieval brickworks excavated at the foot of Bastione.

The museum offers a different way to explore the past than the walk through the archaeological site: the focus is on finds and their different periods, while Bastione shows the remains of the fortress and the location of the former castle site. If you are interested in Marti’s history, these perspectives can complement one another thematically during your visit.

The Village Festival in September

Marti holds an annual village festival on the third Saturday and Sunday in September. The programme includes an arts and crafts market in the town’s lanes and the traditional game tiro del panforte. Some activities may vary. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the dates and programme in advance.

Marti therefore offers several distinct historical highlights when choosing a destination: the medieval townscape, the architecture of the Pieve, the archaeological traces at Bastione and the finds at the Antiquarium. Discover more destinations: Ghizzano, Legoli, Fabbrica, Montecchio, Montelopio.

For the wider travel overview: Peccioli.