Fetes, events, tourist itineraries and events in Tuscany, museums churches and useful information for tourists

Itinerari ed eventi della Toscana

The Valtiberina Tuscany is a territory within the regions of Umbria, Marche and Romagna, but is firmly attached to the history and traditions of Tuscany.

A holiday in Valtiberina means discovering the natural and environmental patrimony, along the bottom of the valley of the river Tiber, and along the surrounding hills up to the Apennines. It also means discovering valuable craftsmanship, history and traditions, cultural journeys and religious itineraries and those of wine and food. The territory is full of signs left by well known people passing through this valley, and also priceless masterpieces of artists born in this land, among which is Piero della Francesca. Valtiberina is well served by main roads, both north-south and east-west, and therefore is a perfect starting point for excursions to Umbria, Romagna, Marche and Tuscany.

Sansepolcro

Sansepolcro is the most important village of the Valtiberina Tuscany, situated at the bottom of the valley surrounded by rolling hills and with the Apennines in the background.
The primal layout of the town is medieval type with quadrilateral walls still visible today and the fortress of Medici origin designed by Giuliano da SanGallo.
There are several renaissance and baroque buildings residences of noble families which have been added to during the centuries. The look of the historic centre today is the same as that found in some backgrounds of Piero della Francesca paintings, who was fond of his land and of whom the Museo Civico houses important masterpieces. To remember the Resurrezione, Polittico della Madonna della Misericordia, San Giuliano, San Ludovico. In the Civic Museum, as well as the masterpieces, it is also possible to admire works of Pontormo, Raffaellino dal Colle, Della Robbia, Santi di Tito. Other Museums worth a visit are Aboca Museum, the Museo delle Vetrate, the Spazio del Merletto.
By walking through the historic centre of Sansepolcro, as well as admiring the façades of the public and private buildings, it is worth visiting the Cathedral, which contains "Volto Santo"a wooden crucifix of the 10th century, works of the Perugino, Robbia, the Church of the Madonna della Grazia, Santa Maria dei Servi, San Lorenzo, which contain the Deposizione del Rosso Fiorentino. In the heart of the historic centre is the "Torre di Berta" Square which is home to several events throughout the year: the "Mercatale", a market of typical gastronomic products; the Antiques Market, third Sunday of every month; "Artes", a festival organised by local artisans; and on the second Sunday of September the historic celebration of the Palio della Balestra, which is a challenge between the Balestrieri (cross bowers) of Sansepolcro and Gubbio with a whole week dedicated to renaissance celebration of events with parades, dances and other renaissance acts.

Anghiari

The council of Anghiari presents itself as an antique medieval village, with irregular alleys, steep steps, churches and small squares with artisan workshops, restoration laboratories and antiquarians.
The landscape on which the village overlooks is the valley of the river Tiber, scattered with castles, towers and churches, testimony to the past Franciscan spirituality.
Culturally Anghiari has a lot to offer, with the Museo Statale (State Museum) of Palazzo Taglieschi and also of Palazzo del Marzocco. The first one contains local paintings, sculptures and tools; amongst the works the most important are the Nativity by Andrea Della Robbia and the "Statua della Vergine" by Jacopo della Quercia. In the Museum of Palazzo del Marzocco is found the history of the famous Battle of Anghiari, illustrated in paintings, plastic models, and panels. Lastly is the Museum of the Misericordia, which documents all the history of the Fraternal order of Anghiari whose origin dates to around 1300 and is still present in the area today, despite certain events throughout the centuries.
The village of Anghiari offers visitors a number of cultural activities, all year round, with fairs, exhibitions, alternated with local fetes, shows, folkloristic and theatrical initiatives together with the finest traditional local cuisine.

Monterchi

Monterchi is an antique medieval village situated on a hill, with characteristic alleys and small squares, surrounded by woodlands, chestnuts, and fields.
Monterchi represents a fundamental stop of a cultural holiday in Tuscany: in fact in the historic centre is preserved the "Madonna del Parto" by Piero della Francesca, an extraordinary fresco painting in which the master has portrayed the splendid figure of the pregnant Madonna. Also in Monterchi all year round important cultural initiatives are organised such as the Poetry convention, which is held each year on the last Saturday of August and the classical music concerts held outdoors during the summer.

Caprese Michelangelo

Caprese Michelangelo is the birth place of Michelangelo Buonarroti, from which the village takes its name. The village of Caprese Michelangelo is situated high on a rock which dominates the surrounding territory. Around the small village (around 1700 inhabitants) the chestnuts woods dominate, a fruit of exceptional merit, which has granted the "Marrone di Caprese Michelangelo" the Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) (Protected Designation of origin); also has an abundance of mushrooms, strawberries and other forest fruits.
Not to be missed is the fete of Sagra della Castagna, a festival to promote typical local products, on the third and fourth Sunday of October.
Inside the house Casa del Podestà, the birth place of Michelaìngelo Buonarroti, is the Museo Michelangiolesco, in which reproductions of the masterpieces are displayed, along with works of contemporary artists.