Lastra a Signa, inside and outside the city walls

All around Florence! Fifteenth-century walls, medieval villages, historic residences and picturesque hilltop views are just a few of the highlights of the Lastra a Signa area.

It is in an extremely convenient location: on the outskirts of Florence on the one hand, and situated along the route linking the heart of Tuscany to the coast on the other; it is also a strategic base for visiting Siena, Pisa and Livorno, whilst enjoying a relaxing stay in the hills.

What to see in Lastra a Signa

A historic centre enclosed by  walls, completed under the supervision of Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century, where the main events take place: the ancient Lastra Fair, now in its 245th edition, and the long-running Sant’Anna Fair, which boasts 683 editions! Staying on the subject of walls, don’t miss the village of Malmantile, just a few kilometres from Lastra.
As in Lastra, the walls of Malmantile were also built in the early 15th century. Whilst in Lastra a Signa the walls served to defend the settlement, in Malmantile they were built to defend the strategic position. If time seems to have stood still within the village’s enclosed setting, it feels even more so during the Malmantile Medieval Festival, where they even use a special commemorative coin!

Lastra a Signa is home to the Enrico Caruso Museum, the only museum in Italy dedicated to the Neapolitan tenor, housed within Villa Caruso Bellosguardo, a late-Renaissance residence purchased in 1905 by the great Enrico Caruso – already famous throughout Europe and the United States – to serve as his home. The villa is owned by the municipal council and is surrounded by extensive grounds.

In the lower part of the city, the River Arno plays a prominent role; you can ‘experience’ it in the lovely Parco Fluviale di là d’Arno, an area with numerous footpaths, a cycle path and a bridleway, which you can explore whilst jogging, cycling, horse-riding or simply strolling.
 

Hiking and walking routes to Lastra a Signa

Lastra a Signa is an ideal destination for lovers of trails and walks that take in history, landscapes and the local area: the Renaissance Loop and other short circular routes, promoted by the local council. See the map of all the walking routes in the Florence area.

How to reach Lastra

The best way to get to Lastra a Signa is by regional train from 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.