Holiday apartment in Fornacette: Culture, History and Trails

Fornacette between cycling themes and waterways

Fornacette combines cycling themes, paths along the water and historical landmarks. A holiday apartment in Fornacette can therefore suit a trip where cultural discoveries and active pursuits take different priorities. For families with varied interests, the town offers several specific points of interest: the Museo della Bicicletta Manolo Baggiani, paths along the Via Tosco-romagnola and the Canale Imperiale, as well as structures and traditions with a long history.

Museo della Bicicletta and paths in the town

The Museo della Bicicletta Manolo Baggiani (MU.BI) is located at Via Amendola 7 in Fornacette. MUBI is a multifunctional centre that emerged from cooperation between the Municipality of Calcinaia and Giochi in Circolo. This gives the town a specific cultural focal point centred on cycling, alongside other paths and historical sites.

An existing, unsigned cycle and pedestrian path runs along the Via Tosco-romagnola in Fornacette. Within the built-up area of Fornacette, existing cycle and pedestrian paths also run along both banks of the Canale Imperiale. If you would like to alternate between cultural and active days, these different parts of the town can be incorporated into your personal plans. The lack of signage along the path on the Via Tosco-romagnola remains an important part of its description.

Historical traces between canal construction and bricks

The Trabocco mediceo di Fornacette was built in 1568 under Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany. As early as 1564, Cosimo I de’ Medici ordered the construction of the Arnaccio overflow canal in the Fornacette area.

The brickmaking tradition also dates back a long way: brick production began in Fornacette between the 10th and 12th centuries. The name Fornacette may derive from Fornacelle, meaning “small kilns”. Thus, the town’s history brings together water engineering, construction craftsmanship and the possible linguistic memory of early kilns.

Church and events in Fornacette

The new parish complex in Fornacette is dedicated to Regina della Pace. The church was consecrated on 2 March 2002 by His Excellency Mons. Plotti.

The traditional Concertone della Liberazione takes place in Fornacette in Piazza della Resistenza, with I Patagarri as the headline act. In the wider municipal area of Calcinaia, the Regata Storica sull'Arno also takes place in May, recreating the former activities of the Navicellai. Those who value local events and regional traditions when planning their trip will find a variety of cultural highlights in the town and the wider municipal area.

Choose a holiday apartment in Fornacette based on your interests

When choosing a holiday apartment in Fornacette, you can use your preferred daily rhythm as a guide. MU.BI and the parish complex provide cultural highlights, while the cycle and pedestrian path along the Via Tosco-romagnola and the paths along both banks of the Canale Imperiale offer a different perspective on the town. The Parco dei Pini by the S. Quasimodo secondary school at Via Amendola 34 was the third stop of an event on biodiversity. Together with the historic waterworks, the brickmaking tradition and the events, this creates a varied picture for planning your trip, without restricting Fornacette to just one type of holiday.

To the overall travel overview: Calcinaia.