Marradi
Marradi is a Tuscan village in the province of Florence, set along the Lamone river right on the border with Emilia-Romagna
Updated 19 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Marradi now
The story
The story of Marradi
Marradi: Between Mugello and the Romagna Apennines
Marradi is a small municipality in the province of Florence, Tuscany, tucked into the Alto Mugello area along the valley of the Lamone river, right on the border with Emilia-Romagna. Its position among the ridges of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines made it, for centuries, a natural passage between Tuscany and Romagna, a crossroads of roads, trade and cultures. The village stretches along the course of the Lamone, surrounded by woods and a hilly landscape that changes colour with the seasons, offering a quiet, authentic atmosphere far from the busiest tourist routes.
History and Origins
Marradi's origins date back to the Middle Ages, when the village grew as a stronghold along the ancient routes connecting Tuscany and Romagna, contested over the centuries between Florence and the Romagna lordships. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the town gained further importance thanks to the Faentina railway line, which links Florence to Faenza across the Apennines through numerous tunnels and viaducts. Marradi is also known as the birthplace of the poet Dino Campana, author of the celebrated 'Canti Orfici', and the town has dedicated spaces and cultural initiatives to his memory and work.
Nature and Landscape
The Marradi area is dominated by chestnut woods covering the slopes of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines, a green and quiet landscape crossed by trails, streams and small rural hamlets. The Lamone river itself rises in these mountains and flows through the town, sustaining lush vegetation and a cool microclimate even in summer. The area is popular with hikers and nature lovers for paths climbing toward the Apennine ridges, through beech woods and centuries-old chestnut groves, with panoramic viewpoints opening onto the valley and, on clear days, toward the Romagna plain.
What to Do and See
Walking through Marradi's historic centre means discovering an intimate village, with stone buildings, small bridges over the Lamone and a historic town theatre that still hosts performances and cultural events today. The town lends itself to slow tourism, made of walks along the river, visits to places linked to the memory of Dino Campana, and stops at local cafés and shops. In the surrounding area, mountain roads connecting Marradi to the Apennine passes offer scenic routes ideal for mountain biking, trekking or simply day trips to discover the neighbouring villages.
Flavors and Traditions
Marradi's cuisine is closely tied to the chestnut tree: the local marrone, recognised with a protected geographical indication, is the star of dishes, sweets and flours typical of Apennine tradition. Every autumn the town celebrates this product with one of Italy's oldest food festivals, drawing visitors from across the region to sample roasted chestnuts, sweets and other chestnut-based specialities. Alongside chestnuts, Marradi's table offers simple mountain dishes, porcini mushrooms, cured meats and local cheeses, combining genuine flavours tied to the land and the seasons.
Not to be missed
- Marradi's historic centre along the Lamone river
- Teatro degli Animosi, the town's historic theatre
- Sites linked to the poet Dino Campana
- The autumn Chestnut Festival (Sagra delle Castagne)
- Hiking trails toward the ridges of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines
To see
What to see in Marradi
Routes · Trovido Route
