Municipality of Castiglion Fibocchi
Piazza Municipio, 1 - 52029 Castiglion Fibocchi (AR)
Tel: +39 0575 1686
Fax: 0575 47516
E-mail: segreteria@comune.castiglionfibocchi.ar.it
PEC: c.castiglionfibocchi@postacert.toscana.it
Tax Code and VAT 00284440518
PRATOMAGNO
The imposing Pratomagno mountain range lies predominantly within the province of Arezzo, extending northward into the area of Vallombrosa in the province of Florence. This mountain forms a natural boundary between the Casentino and Upper Valdarno valleys, offering panoramic views of both landscapes from every point along its ridge.
A distinctive symbol of Pratomagno is the iron cross erected in 1928 at an altitude of 1,592 meters. However, what truly makes the mountain famous is its name and geographical character: a vast grassy plateau stretching from Monte Lori to Monte Secchieta, situated high enough to offer breathtaking views across much of Tuscany. This area is ideal for scenic hikes along trails that change color with the seasons and shifting environmental conditions.
The ridge of Pratomagno resembles a true natural garden, where countless plant species bloom from April to September. Its slopes, by contrast, are cloaked in lush forests of beech, fir, chestnut, oak, and other trees, making them a prime location for mushroom and chestnut foraging.
Pratomagno also serves as a crucial water reserve for the surrounding regions. Numerous springs feed into streams that flow down into the valleys, forming clear and refreshing brooks and torrents, often characterized by stunning natural formations.
The mountain also boasts a rich and significant history. According to tradition, Hannibal’s troops crossed its ridge in 217 BC during their march from Fiesole to Arezzo in the Second Punic War. The churches dedicated to Saint Michael found in the small villages along its slopes attest to a lasting presence of barbarian peoples from northern Europe, particularly the Lombards. The magnificent Lombard-style pulpit preserved in the Parish Church of Gropina is further evidence of this influence.
During the Middle Ages, Pratomagno gained substantial political and religious importance. Around the year 960, on its southern slopes descending toward Arezzo, the Abbey of Santa Trinita was founded at 950 meters above sea level. It was the first abbey established in a territory that included Casentino, Arezzo, and Valdarno. About a century later, on the opposite slope facing Florence, the Abbey of Vallombrosa was founded at 1,000 meters altitude. In 1425, Vallombrosa acquired Santa Trinita, thereby gaining political and religious control over the entire mountain for several centuries.
On both the Casentino and Valdarno sides of Pratomagno, visitors can discover charming historic villages with harmonious architecture, often home to valuable works of art preserved in their churches. Located between 700 and 1,000 meters above sea level, nearly all of these settlements date back to the Middle Ages and were originally castles or fortified centers. Until the post-World War II era, these small communities relied almost entirely on Pratomagno’s resources for their survival. The forests provided wood, charcoal, and chestnuts, while grains, potatoes, and other crops were grown on terraced plots of land carved into the rugged terrain. Meat, wool, milk, and dairy products came from mountain pastures.
In addition to the renowned Abbeys of Vallombrosa and Santa Trinita, the Pratomagno area is surrounded by Romanesque parish churches of remarkable religious, historical, architectural, and artistic significance, located on both the Casentino and Valdarno sides. The villages and all religious buildings were once interconnected by a dense network of roads crossing the mountain both lengthwise and crosswise.
