Sentiero Naturalistico Poggio Citerna ingresso Sud

The naturalistic path of the hill of Citerna The hill of Citerna (590 m.), Which is part of the mountain range of the Chianti Mountains, was inhabited since ancient times. In fact, on its ridge a well-known archaeologist, Alvaro Tracchi, discovered the traces of an Etruscan-Roman settlement and the ruins of a medieval female monastery are still visible. Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, those nuns occupied, most likely, an even older building, perhaps a Lombard defensive bulwark, given its geographical location and the discovery of an abraded coin from that historical period. Poggio alla Croce, on the other hand, has long been a simple crossroads of roads frequented since ancient times. And here on the pass a small country hospital functioned for centuries, signaled to travelers by a cross that today stands out, in iron, on the hill of Citerna. A hillock that today appears almost totally covered with a chestnut and oak forest, but was once partly cultivated through stone terraces. The naturalistic path that starts from here, from piazza del giaggiolo, 2200 meters long, therefore allows, through information panels placed along the route, to know the naturalistic aspects and therefore the near and distant history of this small corner of Tuscany, located between Valdarno Superiore and Florentine Chianti and between two cities of art such as Florence and Arezzo. It is precisely these two cities that we can see climbing the hill of Citerna. This walk, suitable for everyone, can offer, in fact, together with a historical-environmental and landscape picture of great interest, vast panoramas of great beauty, accompanied by moments of true relaxation. Reached the Crocina pass and climbed to the cross of Citerna, our view ranges from the Ema valley to the Florentine plain, where the dome of the Duomo stands out, and beyond. And before reaching what remains of the medieval monastery, wide views of the upper Valdarno and Pratomagno are opened to our eyes and the city of Arezzo is discovered even further away. In a short time we go back to the village, closing a ring of one hour without difficulty, bringing with us the memory of a pleasant walk that will never cease to surprise.

Beginning of the route, steep and stony climb. Kept a wonderful view very well. From seeing.