Figline e Incisa Valdarno
Figline e Incisa Valdarno is a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Florence, created in 2019 by merging Figline Valdarno and...
Updated 21 July 2026
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The story
The story of Figline e Incisa Valdarno
Introduction and Location
Located about 30 kilometres southeast of Florence, the municipality of Figline e Incisa Valdarno spans both banks of the Arno, along the historic route linking central Tuscany to Arezzo. The territory includes two main settlements, Figline and Incisa, formerly separate municipalities now joined under one administration. Its position in the Valdarno Superiore, between the river plain and the first hills leading toward Chianti, has long made it a crossroads of trade and travel, with a network of villages, parish churches and farmhouses reflecting centuries of rural and mercantile settlement.
History and Origins
Figline's origins date back to the Middle Ages, when the Florentine Republic promoted the founding of a fortified settlement with a regular urban layout, still recognisable in today's historic centre. The humanist philosopher Marsilio Ficino, a leading figure of the Florentine Renaissance, was born here in 1433, and the town's main square bears his name. Incisa in Val d'Arno, on the opposite bank, is traditionally linked to the family origins of Francesco Petrarca, whose father came from this town. The two communities, with parallel histories along the Arno, were administratively merged in 2019 to form today's municipality.
Nature and Landscape
The landscape of Figline e Incisa Valdarno alternates the Arno's river plain, with tree-lined embankments and cycling paths, and an amphitheatre of hills covered in vineyards and olive groves stretching toward the Florentine Chianti. Farmland gives way to woods and small streams feeding into the Arno, offering classic views of the Tuscan countryside. The municipal territory also preserves areas of naturalistic interest along the river, popular for walks, birdwatching and outdoor activities, in a setting that remains largely rural despite its proximity to Florence.
Things to Do and See
Figline's historic centre invites a stroll through porticoed streets, past the Collegiata di Santa Maria and the Palazzo Pretorio, the traditional heart of civic life. In Incisa, the old quarter retains the intimate atmosphere typical of Valdarno villages, with views over the Arno and surrounding hills. Nature lovers can follow cycling and walking routes along the river or head into the hills toward Chianti, while history enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in local museums and religious buildings. Its closeness to Florence also makes the municipality a convenient base for day trips to the city and the Chianti area.
Flavours and Traditions
The local table reflects the farming traditions of the Valdarno, built around extra virgin olive oil, wine and garden produce prepared according to recipes handed down within families. The territory borders the Chianti area, and cellars and olive mills often open their doors for tastings. Local cuisine favours simple, hearty dishes tied to the seasons and to the close relationship between hill and plain. Village festivals and farmers' markets, held throughout the year in the different hamlets, are the best way to get to know these flavours and the everyday life of Valdarno communities.
Not to be missed
- Figline's historic centre and the Collegiata di Santa Maria
- Palazzo Pretorio and Piazza Marsilio Ficino
- The old town of Incisa in Val d'Arno on the Arno
- Cycling and walking paths along the Arno river
- Hills and vineyards on the edge of the Florentine Chianti
To see
What to see in Figline e Incisa Valdarno
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Routes in Figline e Incisa Valdarno
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