The Val d'Arno - Heavy Snowfall at an abandoned Podere

From the foothills of lofty Mount Falterona, south through the Casentino until it takes a sharp east turn near Arezzo the Arno travels a fine course through Tuscany. The Arno turns back north in a giant loop and heads up the 'Val d'Arno' after passing Arezzo until absorbing the Sieve and passing west through Florence, under the Ponte Vecchio and heading towards Pisa, afterwhich is joins the Mediterranean.

The valley is wide and lies between the Pratomagno and Monte dei Chianti revealing a landscape of rolling olive groves and vineyards. Between the two ranges, that run from south to north is the , runs the A1 Autostrada which links Rome to Florence and provides excellent access.

The valley contains the medieval Vallombrosa Monastery, founded in the 11th century and once a powerful institution wielding considerable secular power in the middle ages as did Monte San Savino further to the south.

In high summer Florentines flock to Vallombrosa and nearby Saltino enjoy the cool mountain breezes, while Milton visited Vallombrosa and was much taken by the woodlands and landscape, so much so he wrote of Vallombrosa in Paradise Lost. Oak, fir and beech woodlands dominate, typical to much of Tuscany, and from 600 meters altitude and below farmland starts in the form of olive farms and fruit orchards while lower down still are vineyards that make Chianti Rufina and Colle Aretini.

The mountain towns of Pelago and Regello, linked by a belt of olive groves between 4-600m, produce lively olive oil famous throughout Tuscany.

Usefull Links for the Valdarno:

Valdarno Online Events and accommodation in the Val d'arno (Sito Italiano).

Comune di Figline Valdarno - Homepage of the Figline Valdarno Comune - (Sito Italiano)

Tuscany Travel - The Valdarno (in English)

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