Poppi in eastern Tuscany

Poppi is a medieval town in the Casentino, the upper Arno Valley in eastern Tuscany. The town, with just over 6.000 inhabitants, sits atop a hill at an altitude of 437 meters and is dominated by the castle of the Conti Guidi – one of the best-preserved castles in Tuscany. Poppi also encompasses the famous Camaldoli Monastery and the hilltop village of Badia Prataglia in the Casentino Forests National Park.

Sights in Poppi

The town consists of the historic upper town with its arcades and palazzi, and the modern district of Ponte a Poppi down by the Arno. The upper town is small and can easily be explored on foot in half a day.

Castle of the Counts Guidi

The castle of the Counts Guidi was built around 1290 and is traditionally attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio, who is said to have created a model here for the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. The Guidi family ruled the Casentino region for approximately 350 years. After the Battle of Anghiari in 1440, in which they fought against Florence, they were forced to abandon Poppi. Worth seeing are the courtyard with its coat of arms and the grand staircase dating from 1470, the chapel with frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi, a pupil of Giotto, and the historic library with its old manuscripts and early printed books.

The castle now belongs to the municipality and can be visited at varying times, sometimes with guided tours and events. Current opening times and prices can be found on the official website castellodipoppi.it.

Churches in the old town

• San Fedele: Kirche der Vallombrosaner aus dem späten 12. Jahrhundert im Zentrum
• San Fedele: Church of the Vallombrosans from the late 12th century in the center
• Madonna del Morbo: barocker Zentralbau (17. Jh.) an der Piazza Amerighi; das Marienbild wird Filippino Lippi zugeschrieben

Excursions to the Casentino

Camaldoli: Monastery and Hermitage

Im Gemeindegebiet von Poppi liegt Camaldoli, Stammsitz des Kamaldulenserordens, gegründet Anfang des 11. Jahrhunderts vom heiligen Romuald. Die Einsiedelei (Eremo) liegt auf rund 1.100 Metern mitten im Wald, das Kloster (Monastero) etwa drei Kilometer tiefer. In der Klosterkirche hängen Werke von Giorgio Vasari; die historische Klosterapotheke verkauft Kräuterprodukte der Mönche.

Foreste Casentinesi National Park

The beech and fir forests of the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna National Park stretch around Badia Prataglia and Camaldoli – an excellent area for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding . In Badia Prataglia, the Carlo Siemoni Museum and Arboretum is worth a visit.

Campaldino and other destinations

The Battle of Campaldino took place in 1289 on the plain between Poppi and Pratovecchio, with the young Dante Alighieri fighting on the Florentine side. A memorial column commemorates the event. Other nearby destinations include Bibbiena, the Franciscan sanctuary of La Verna, and the provincial capital of Arezzo . Florence is just over an hour's drive over the mountains.

Practical tips: Market, food and accommodation

• Market: Every Tuesday morning there is a weekly market in Ponte a Poppi on Piazza Garibaldi. You can find markets in other locations in our overview. Weekly markets in Tuscany.
• Food: Under the arcades of the upper town there are cafes and restaurants serving Casentine cuisine, such as dishes with chestnuts, mushrooms and tortelli di patate.
• Accommodation: The town has hotels and private accommodations, and there are many other options in the surrounding area. cottages and holiday apartments.
• Celebrations: Concerts and events take place at the castle during the summer; dates can be found at the Poppi municipal office and on the castle's website.

Frequently asked questions about Poppi