Celle Sul Rigo: History, Pici and Trails

Celle sul Rigo brings together medieval layouts, ecclesiastical art, handmade cuisine and trails with scenic views in a compact area. The regular layout of parallel and perpendicular streets is unusual for a medieval village and led to the supposition that the settlement was laid out according to the pattern of a Roman castrum.

Traces of Castrum Cellis

The medieval tower stands in the upper part of Celle sul Rigo. It is considered the only significant surviving part of the fortified Castrum Cellis, which developed approximately between the 9th and 16th centuries. Beneath the village are caves that served as shelters in times of war and are now used as cellars. The cistern and the adjoining piazza were also central elements of village life for a long time; references to them date back to 1610.

Church, Art and Literary Traces

The present-day Church of San Paolo Converso contains wall paintings depicting the “Mysteries of the Rosary”. Two other paintings show the marriage of Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the Temple. The church’s travertine portal dates from the 15th century and previously belonged to the old Church of Santa Elisabetta.

Giosuè Carducci is also connected with Celle sul Rigo: The poet stayed in the village from 1851 to 1855 and dedicated the sonnet “Sopra Celle” to it. A commemorative plaque on a façade marks the house where he lived. La Fattoria was built onto the old walls of Celle sul Rigo between the 14th and 15th centuries. The building was originally the Palazzo Pretorio; later, the Bocchi Bianchi family converted it into a farm.

Holiday Apartment in Celle Sul Rigo Among Pici and Village Traditions

The local cuisine is particularly evident in Pici. They are made entirely by hand, with the technique passed down from generation to generation. Traditionally, they are served with Sugo all’aglione, prepared with local garlic, olive oil, chilli pepper, preserved tomatoes and very little fresh tomato.

The Sagra dei Pici takes place every year on the last weekend of May in Piazza Garibaldi. It began in 1969 and continues to be organised by the Società Filarmonica di Celle sul Rigo in support of the local marching band. During the Palio del cacio, two or more players traditionally roll aged Pecorino cheese weighing approximately 1 kg through the village streets. The event traditionally takes place in the morning of the last day of Carnival and is repeated on the second Sunday in August.

Trails with Views of the Rigo and Val di Paglia

The San Casciano Active trail network reaches Celle sul Rigo and the Via Francigena at Ponte a Rigo. The routes were planned and signposted according to the standards of the Rete Escursionistica Toscana; they are intended for use on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. The Il Rigo route begins immediately outside the historic centre at Piazza Risorgimento. It offers views of the Rigo stream valley and towards Radicofani. It includes a crossing of the Rigo stream, which may be impassable in winter or after heavy rainfall.

From Il Poggetto, the view opens southwards over the Val di Paglia. The river valley has served as an important north–south connection since antiquity.

Discover More Destinations

If you would like to continue exploring the surrounding area, you can also find Fighine and Palazzone.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: San Casciano Dei Bagni.