Pontassieve, the village of rivers

All Around Florence!The medieval town of Pontassieve lies in the countryside surrounding Florence, at the confluence of the Arno and Sieve rivers. It is distinguished by a landscape rich in vineyards, olive groves, local traditions, and authentic flavors.

What to See in Pontassieve

The town takes its name from the picturesque Medici Bridge (Ponte Mediceo), built by Cosimo I de’ Medici in the 16th century to connect Florence with the areas of Mugello, Casentino, and Arezzo. This important infrastructure strengthened the town’s strategic position and contributed to its economic development.

Even earlier, in 1357, the rulers of the Florentine Republic built the fortress of Castel Sant’Angelo (Castrum Sancti Angeli de Ponte Sevis), renowned for its defensive walls and imposing gates, three of which still survive today:Porta Aretina,Porta Filicaia, and Porta Fiorentina. A fourth gate, Porta del Capitano, was demolished in the early 19th century.

In Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, right in the heart of the town, stands one of Pontassieve’s most important landmarks: the Town Hall, also known as Palazzo Sansoni Trombetta. Inside, visitors can admire a cycle of paintings and frescoes by Ferdinando Folchi in theHall of Heroines (Sala delle Eroine), dedicated to the heroic deeds of women who lived during the 16th century.

Finally, Pontassieve is a land of vineyards, making it a perfect destination for wine lovers. Its winemaking tradition dates back to ancient times, and wines from the Pontassieve area were already highly regarded before the Grand Duchy period. The town was also famous for its historic “fiascaie”, artisans skilled in the traditional craft of weaving straw coverings around glass wine flasks in the classic mezzo peso and toscanello formats. The latter gave its name to Pontassieve’s traditional wine festival, the Toscanello d’Oro.

Most of the surrounding area falls within the Chianti Rufina production zone, the smallest geographical denomination within the Chianti wine region.

Hiking and Walking Routes to Pontassieve – The Renaissance Ring

For trekking and nature enthusiasts, Pontassieve can be explored through the Renaissance Ring (Anello del Rinascimento), which includes two stages:

Fiesole / Santa Brigida – Pontassieve (13 km / 4 hours)

This route winds through the Tuscan countryside, passing farmhouses, vineyards, and old mills. Part of the trail follows the Burraie Path and reaches the ancient Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso, dating back to the 15th century and featuring an altar made of pietra serena stone.

Pontassieve – Montecucco – San Donato in Collina (13 km / 4.5 hours)

This stage crosses the Valdarno basin. From Rignano sull’Arno, the route continues toward Bagno a Ripoli, passing through Montecucco and its remarkable vineyards (13.5 km / 4 hours). Along this section, hikers follow the historic Via della Maremma, tracing the footsteps of pilgrims who once journeyed to Papal Rome.

How to Reach Pontassieve from Florence

Pontassieve is easily accessible by train from Florence Santa Maria Novella Station, with a journey time of just 22 minutes.

Download the All Around Florence Brochure

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