Anello 03 Capraia - Pieve Pontenano

RING 03
(CAPRAIA / PIEVE PONTENANO)
Length: 5,5 km
Directionality: ring
Travel mode: on foot, bike, horse
Total ascent: 314 m

Description: the circular route is of medium difficulty, suitable for beginners and also for families (not with a stroller and children at least 8/10 years old), it starts and ends from Capraia (parking area). After a careful visit to the valuable village of Capraia (1) we continue along the dirt road that leads to the party park and shortly thereafter to the crossroads in front of the cemetery. In front of the cemetery, turn left and begin to descend along a winding path that leads directly to the Ponte di Sasso (2). After crossing the ancient bridge (if you want you can go down to the Capraia stream to cool off a bit and take some splendid photos of the bridge) you continue on a narrow uphill path until it becomes a track and then you reach a wide forest road. Here you turn left and after about 450 meters you arrive at the asphalt road (3), where you turn left to go down another 500 meters and arrive at the crossroads with the cemetery signs which you will follow on the right. Once you reach the cemetery, continue on the left to shortly reach the village of Pieve Pontenano (4). Cross the entire village and after passing the Pieve di S. Paolo, keep right to exit Pieve Pontenano, follow the asphalt road until the crossroads with the signs for Capraia. Continue downhill to the bridge over the Capraia stream and from there continue uphill following the asphalt road to the starting point.

What can be seen:
Capraia, a fortified village where it is still possible to understand its defensive architectural structure, which belonged to the Ubertini family of Talla, was completely destroyed in 1502 by the mercenary captain Vitellozzo Vitelli during his incursion into Casentino with the precise aim of causing damage to Florence. In the church there is an interesting presence of a Madonna with Child in polychrome terracotta from the nearby Badia di Santa Trinita in Alpe.
Pieve Pontenano, also known as Pontenano Basso, Pieve Pontenano takes its name from the homonymous parish church of S. Paolo in Pontenano, little is known about its origins, but it was owned by the Ubertini Counts of Talla since at least the 13th century. The façade with a beautiful bell tower is noteworthy.
Ponte di Sasso, a bridge of medieval origin serving an important hillside road, of which the ancient pavement is sometimes present, which connected the Casentino with the Valdarno.