Figline and Incisa Valdarno, two villages joined together

All around Florence! Figline e Incisa Valdarno, a municipality situated between Florence, Arezzo and Siena, stretching from the banks of the Arno to the hills, was officially established on 1 January 2014 following the merger of two municipalities that are ‘neighbours’ in terms of history and location, yet which still retain their distinct identities to this day.

What to see in Figline and Incisa Valdarno

As the result of a merger, the town actually has two urban centres: one is Figline, a new Florentine settlement, which lies within 14th-century walls. Here we find places of interest such as thePalazzo Pretorio, dating from the late 13th century, at the entrance to which stands the bell removed from the Torre Guelfa – a tower visibly leaning due to subsidence of the clayey ground – which served as a warning and deterrent against the Ghibellines. The main square, named after Marsilio Ficino – the famous humanist born in Figline in 1433 – is lined with arcades and hosts not only the Tuesday morning market but also the largest events organised in Figline and Incisa Valdarno, including the traditional Palio di San Rocco and Autumnia – a fair dedicated to agriculture, food and the environment, held every second weekend in November.
During these festivals, the "Sbandieratori dei Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini di Figline e Incisa Valdarno", a  flag-waving group, founded in 1965, puts on a spectacular show.

On the right-hand side of the square stands the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, built in 1257, where the sacristy provides access to the Museum of Sacred Art, which houses important works including paintings, furnishings, gold and silverware, liturgical vestments and miniature manuscripts. And just a few minutes’ walk away, you can visit the Antica Spezieria inside Villa San Cerbone, a pharmacy founded in the early 16th century, which still houses a collection of 16th- and 17th-century majolica from the Montelupo workshop, a substantial collection of medicinal glassware (16th–17th centuries) and much more. 
The pride of the town is the Teatro Comunale Garibaldi – the first concert was held on 16 April 1872, featuring Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Ernani, whilst the first play was staged on 7 June 1884 – which, every year, in addition to various cultural promotion activities, offers two major seasons of theatre and concerts featuring nationally and internationally renowned artists.

Moving on to Incisa and its hills, we come across the first home of Francesco Petrarca, who arrived in Incisa at his grandfather’s estate in 1305 and remained there until the age of seven. The historic centre of Incisa is, in fact, linked to the heart of the village by an ancient walkway, which starts from Piazza della Repubblica via Via Antica Porta and continues to what remains of the castle’s defensive walls and Petrarch’s house. Along the way, you can enjoy some lovely panoramic views and come across quotations taken from the Canzoniere (Songbook)  or other works by the writer.

Also situated in the hills is Loppiano, the first permanent, international community of the Focolare Movement, founded in 1964, with its Sanctuary of Mary Theotokos, a work of contemporary architecture.

Hiking and walking routes in Figline e Incisa Valdarno

The territory is crossed by a stage of the hinking road Anello del Rinascimento.

How to geto to Figline e Incisa Valdarno

Both Figline and Incisa can be reached by train from Florence Central Station Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Download the "All Around Florence" brochure

To learn more about the history of the area surrounding Florence, download the brochure from the official tourism website of the Municipality of Florence and the Metropolitan City: Click here to download the brochure.