Ortignano raggiolo

Ortignano-Raggiolo is a place where your soul will take refuge. Its chestnut woods are like silent and composed elders; its towns and villages, which live in the present amongst its winding lanes, fountains, paths and views that reach up to the sky. They are all part of a world to discover, while taking the odd rest in a very welcoming mountain inn providing great food and a glimpse of real life. Raggiolo is a precious gem, where it is worth spending a bit more time staying in a small but lovely hotel where you can rest your body, but where your soul will fly.

Summer is definitely a good time to visit, but autumn is even better when everything changes colour. At the beginning of November the chestnut festival celebrates the life-fruit of this place, a great opportunity to discover its traditions, as well as visiting the nearby Ecomuseum, the mills and drying places; real and authentic places of nature, with a slow pace of life, where the real rhythm is the earth’s breath.

HISTORIC CENTRE

Its origins hail from the 7th and 8th centuries. It used to be a fortified centre of strategic importance, located on the border between Fiesole and Arezzo, and during its history it has changed hands due to wars, sieges and spontaneous donations.

Due to the insubordination of its inhabitants at the end of the 14th century, there was a big bloody reprisal by the Florentines. All these disputes and quarrels ended for good in 1440 when the Milanese troops of Niccolò Piccinino destroyed and set fire to the town. Most of the inhabitants were killed and the survivors left Raggiolo. The castle was never rebuilt, but the town was brought back to life in the ‘epoca granducale’ (era of Florentine rule), when to repopulate the area a Corsican colony was established at Raggiolo. It is interesting to admire the Apotropaic reliefs on the facades of some of the houses, disturbing and scowling faces that were once used to ward off bad spirits and the evil eye.

WHAT TO SEE

After passing through San Piero in Frassino, you will come across Ortignano, with the green expanse of Pratomagno behind it. Raggiolo is around two kilometres from Ortignano, going up the ‘Teggina’ road. The town is one of the most beautiful and charming in the valley, with its golden ratio of geology and architecture. There are many charming water mills along the Barbozzaia torrent; the Chestnut Ecomuseum is very interesting, with its trail that leads tourists to discover about the ancient fruit and its goodness, and the mountain’s inhabitants. A lovely walk down the small streets of Raggiola, looking out over the chestnut trees, is an unrivalled experience. Nowadays, small shops offer comfort, and you can sample local recipes made with expertise in esteemed restaurants. The Chestnut Ecomuseum is a must-see, as are the many trails that lead you to discover local traditions, and the chestnut drying systems, which are still in use.