Santa Maria A Monte – Culture, Art and Festivals

Santa Maria A Monte brings together archaeological remains, art and recurring festivals. For culture lovers, three perspectives stand out: archaeological traces and views, art and local history, and events held at different times of the year. They offer some guidance when choosing the focus of a trip.

The Borgo, Archaeology and Views

The Area Archeologica La Rocca stands at the highest point of the Borgo and also offers a viewing terrace. A museum description dated June 25, 2021, locates an archaeological tour on the first floor of the Museo Civico Beata Diana Giuntini, featuring finds from excavations at Sant'Ippolito in Anniano and La Rocca. This brings together archaeological sites and the museum display as distinct ways of exploring the town’s archaeological history.

Another viewpoint is the Torre dell’Orologio: from its top floor, the view stretches across the entire Valdarno and takes in the other castle towers. Unlike the viewing terrace at the Area Archeologica, the focus here is on the wider landscape and its castle towers. Those interested in the archaeological side, meanwhile, can explore it both at La Rocca and through the finds mentioned at the museum.

Museums, Art and Local History

The Museo Casa Carducci is housed in the home where the Carducci family lived from 1856 to 1858. It is home to the permanent exhibition “Il Tenero Gigante” by Possenti, comprising 26 paintings and drawings inspired by the life and work of the poet Giosuè Carducci. The connection to the house and the artistic exploration of the poet offer different points of emphasis.

The Museo Civico displays a Madonna and Child in painted and gilded wood, dated to 1255 and housed in the Collegiata di Santa Maria a Monte. The Collegiata also houses a wooden crucifix attributed to the Master of the Camaiore Crucifix, dating from the first quarter of the 14th century. The available information differs for these artworks: a year is given for the Madonna, while the crucifix has an attribution and a date range.

A historical trace can also be found in the Biblioteca Comunale: a medieval cistern is mentioned as early as the 1391 statutes and is still visible there today. It complements the artworks and archaeological finds with a structural feature associated with the library.

Festivals and Their Dates

The Sagra della Patata Fritta generally takes place in the second half of August in the historic center and in the squares of the Borgo Santa Maria a Monte. During the festival, frying in the traditional “padellone” begins each evening at around 6:00 p.m. The food stalls offer a menu featuring potatoes from Santa Maria a Monte, as well as another menu of typical Tuscan dishes. The event thus pairs a specific local product with a selection of regional foods. Check the exact festival dates when planning your trip.

Another point in the annual calendar is Easter Monday, when Beata Diana Giuntini is celebrated with the traditional Processione delle Paniere. The two occasions therefore offer different points of reference for timing a trip: Easter on the one hand and the Sagra, usually held in the second half of August, on the other.

Discover more destinations: Cerretti, Cenaia, Sasso Pisano, Orciano Pisano, Miemo, Palaia, Riparbella, Buti.

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