Beautiful Tuscany

In the area of Montaione there are traces of the Necropoli (tumbs) of the Etruscans and brick factories of the Romans in Poggio all'Aglione, Bellafonte, Iano and Castelfalfi. Since 1257 Montaione has officially been a town, From this period the glasswork was an important source of earning for Montaione. At the beginning of the Industrial Age this activity was moved to Empoli.The town was surrounded by 11 towers and 2 gates. At the inside of the walls there was the castle of Montaione. Several towers are still intact today. On the square in the centre you can find the Church San Regolo and the former townhall Palazzo Pretorio with its Family Arms of noble families. You can still visit both. Today the museum, the library and the historical archive house in the Palazzo Pretorio.
Montaione and Montespertoli are both towns of the bread “città del pane”. Tuscan bread is made without salt. This is because of the battles between Florence and Pisa several centuries ago. The marinal Republic blocked the salt trade towards the inland. Since that time the Tuscans have always baked their bread without salt.

Monuments, churches and museums

Museo Civico
In this museum you can admire: archeological discoveries from the Etruscan and Roman Age, fossils and prehistorical stones from the area of Montaione

Opening hours Museo Civico:
Until 15 May: Monday to Friday: 9.30 am - 12.30 pmFrom 15 May until 15 October: Monday to Sunday: 9.30 am - 12.30 pm
Via Cresci 15, tel +39 0571 699255

Chiesa San Regolo
In this church you can find the Madonna dei sette dolori from 1773, which is carried outside once a year during the processione on Good Friday.

San Vivaldo - The Jerusalem of Tuscany
The follower of St. Francesco, Vivaldo Stricchi da San Gimignano, retired in this place for a solitary life at the beginning of the 14th century. San Vivaldo is also called the Jerusalem of Tuscany because of its Sacro Monto (Holy Mountain) and a collection of chapels and temples. The Jerusalem of S. Vivaldo is the exact copy on recuced scale of Jerusalem at the end of the 17th century.Opening hours San Vivaldo May until September, Sunday 10 am – 7 pmFrom October until April, Sunday 2,30 – 6 pmTel +39 0571680114