Holiday apartment in Chiocchio – discover hiking and culture

Chiocchio combines a clearly defined day of hiking with local and cultural history. The former name of the village was Fonte al Brocco; churches, a converted fortified village and historic paths offer insights into different periods.

The Anello di Chiocchio and the landscape

The Anello di Chiocchio circular trail is an easy 13 km hike along side roads and paths. The ascent and descent include 280 metres of elevation gain; the starting point is at the car park of Circolo ARCI Chiocchio. The length, difficulty level and elevation gain provide a clear basis when planning an active day. Together, these features make the circular trail a well-defined element of a trip with an itinerary planned around your own day.

Monte Querciabella is a mountain in the vicinity of Chiocchio. The wider surrounding region also includes the mountains Monte Calvarino and Il Pratone. The Giardino Corsi garden is likewise located in this wider regional area. This means that the landscape extends from a mountain in the immediate vicinity to other mountains and a garden in the wider region.

Churches, place names and history

Castello di Mugnana was converted in the 14th century from a fortified village into a private single-family residence. Santa Maria a Chiocchio is considered the younger of Chiocchio’s two churches and was formerly known as Chiesa della Madonna del Buon Viaggio. The church houses the painting “Riposo dalla fuga in Egitto” from the Tuscan school, dating from 1616. The place name, building history and sacred art each provide a distinct approach to history.

Pieve di San Donato a Mugnana was built around the year 1000. It houses a thurible and a naviculum from the Abbey of San Cassiano a Montescalari. It also preserves a spolia capital with figures of billy goats damaged at the corners, as well as symbolic motifs such as star flowers and palmettes.

In the 13th century, near Chiocchio, the via publicana, which ran along the ridge, branched off from the via pubblica, later known as Strata de Chianti. The architectural and decorative elements of the main façade of a distillery are considered an important architectural and typological testimony to its former activity.

Holiday apartment in Chiocchio: hiking and culture

The wider regional area around Chiocchio includes Palazzo Pitti as well as the Museo degli Argenti, Museo Horne and Galleria D'Arte Moderna museums. At Circolo ARCI Chiocchio, the Sagra del cinghiale is associated with an annual event. When searching for accommodation or a holiday apartment in Chiocchio, you can therefore consider whether hiking, church and architectural history, mountains, gardens, museums or a culinary accent should be the focus for your travel group. When different interests come together, you can arrange the daily rhythm according to your own preferences.

Further places for orientation

For further orientation, you can also compare Leccio, San Piero a Sieve, Pelago, Barberino Val D'elsa, Massarella, Cerreto Guidi, Signa and Montespertoli.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florence.