Poppi
Poppi is a medieval hilltop town in the province of Arezzo, in the heart of the Casentino, perched on a ridge above the upper Arno...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Poppi now
The story
The story of Poppi
Introduction and location
The municipality of Poppi lies in the Casentino, the northernmost part of the province of Arezzo, in a commanding position above the plain of the upper Arno. The historic town sits on the summit of a hill, while the wider municipal area stretches from the valley floor up to the wooded slopes of the Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines. This location made Poppi a strategic and commercial reference point for travellers crossing the Casentino for centuries, and it remains part of its appeal today: from the centre, wide views open onto the valley, neighbouring villages and the cultivated hills surrounding the young Arno.
History and origins
Poppi's origins are tied to the Guidi Counts, who from the Middle Ages ruled much of the Casentino and chose the hill of Poppi as their main residence, building the castle that still dominates the town today. On the plain below, in 1289, the Battle of Campaldino was fought, one of the best-known clashes between Tuscan Guelphs and Ghibellines, in which, according to tradition, Dante Alighieri himself took part. Later coming under Florentine influence, the town preserved its medieval layout over the centuries, still clearly visible today in the streets, porticoes and buildings of the historic centre.
Nature and landscape
Poppi's territory is largely mountainous and forested: a significant part of the municipality lies within the Casentino Forests, Mount Falterona and Campigna National Park, home to centuries-old beech woods, streams and abundant wildlife including deer, roe deer and birds of prey. In the hamlet of Camaldoli, deep in the woods, stand the hermitage and monastery founded by Camaldolese monks, surrounded by one of Italy's oldest and best-preserved forests. Further down the valley, the landscape opens into cultivated fields, vineyards and rows of trees along the Arno, creating a striking contrast between the quiet of the high-altitude woods and the orderly farmland of the valley floor.
What to do and see
The heart of any visit to Poppi is the Guidi Counts' castle, with its arcaded courtyard, frescoes and the historic Rilliana Library, open to the public. Walking through the historic centre, visitors find medieval porticoes, small shops and the Church of San Fedele, an example of the area's Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Nature lovers can head up to Camaldoli to walk the national park's trails, while families enjoy the wildlife park, where European animal species can be observed up close. On the Campaldino plain, site of the famous battle, one of the symbolic places of Tuscan history can be explored on foot or by bicycle.
Flavours and traditions
Poppi's food reflects its dual character, part mountain and part valley: chestnuts and porcini mushrooms from the Casentino woods form the basis of soups, preserves and autumn dishes, while the cultivated hills provide olive oil, wine and seasonal vegetables. Typical local dishes include potato-filled tortelli served with meat sauces, alongside locally produced cured meats and cheeses. There is also a textile tradition linked to Casentino wool, worked in this part of Tuscany for centuries and still found today in handcrafted garments and accessories sold in the town's shops.
Not to be missed
- The Guidi Counts' castle, with the Rilliana Library
- The Church of San Fedele in the historic centre
- The hermitage and monastery of Camaldoli
- The Campaldino plain, site of the famous 1289 battle
- The wildlife park, for a close look at European fauna
To see
What to see in Poppi
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