Poggio Alla Malva: Trails, Art and History

Poggio alla Malva brings together a route to Artimino, Etruscan history, sacred art and a long-standing festival tradition. These themes offer different points of interest when choosing your destination: you may be drawn to the landscape along the trail, want to learn about the history of Prato Rosello, or take the local September event into account. The church and its artworks also give the town its own historical character.

The trail to Artimino and its landscape

The Poggio alla Malva–Artimino trail follows a section of CAI Trail No. 300. It leads from Poggio alla Malva to the villa and village of Artimino. The route passes through a pine forest with undergrowth of typical Mediterranean maquis species and skirts the Etruscan site of Prato Rosello. This brings landscape and archaeology together along the same trail as distinct points of interest: the forest shapes its natural character, while the site provides a historical landmark. If you are interested in walks, this named trail offers a specific point of reference for planning your trip, without requiring you to treat different, undescribed routes as though they were the same.

Prato Rosello is an Etruscan necropolis in Artimino. It dates from the late 8th to the 6th century BC and is characterized by tumulus-shaped tombs. This dating sets the site apart as an archaeological point of interest from the later artworks and buildings in Poggio alla Malva. The trail skirts the site, while the necropolis itself is defined by its tombs and its long historical timespan. This allows you to consider the route and the history of the area separately, without assuming a specific visit duration or itinerary.

Church, art and local history

The Chiesa di Santo Stefano a Poggio alla Malva is a 16th-century oratory dedicated to San Sebastiano. Around 1742–48, the building was renovated and enlarged; during this period, the parish seat was also moved there from the old Chiesa di Santo Stefano alle Busche. These details reveal different stages in the church's history: its origins as an oratory, its later structural changes and the relocation of the parish seat. This offers a different perspective on the town's history from the Etruscan past of Prato Rosello.

The church also houses Neri di Bicci's panel painting “Madonna and Child Enthroned Between Saints Sylvester, Stephen, Bartholomew and Lawrence.” The work is dated to the period from 1475 to 1480. Another artwork is a detached fresco fragment depicting the Flagellation. It comes from the Chiesa di Santo Stefano alle Busche. Looking at the town's art history, you can distinguish between a dated panel painting and a fresco fragment from a different source. The church is scheduled to be open to visitors daily from 16:00 to 18:00; check visiting hours before your trip.

September festival and local tastings

The Sagra della polenta, dei funghi porcini e del cinghiale has been held in Poggio alla Malva for over 25 years, on the second and third weekends of September. This recurring date is a specific point of reference if you would like to combine your trip with the local festival. For a particular travel year, it is advisable to check the event dates before making plans.

For a local tasting, Bottega Pecchioli, a wine shop in Poggio alla Malva, offers appointments by reservation. A reservation is therefore part of planning this experience. Another local historical feature is the only surviving gate of the Barchetto della Pineta, also located in Poggio alla Malva. Together with the church and the festival, it shows that the town's history is not limited to the Etruscan site, but is also shaped by local architectural features and traditions.

Discover more destinations: Seano, Comeana, Bacchereto.

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