Points of Interest
The Shelters
In the past, not very long ago, Le Balze were used by man as a shelter.
The several doors we can still see today at the foot of the earth walls
are an evidence. The local inhabitants dug several caves inside Le
Balze, to use them as a shelter in case of rain or as a deposit for the
agricultural tools and the farmyard animals.
The entrance was made
safer by supports and beams avoiding eventual landslides, but it had no
support within, where you could only trust in the compact texture of
the muddy sand.
Also during World War II the caves dug in Le Balze were used by the local population to conceal from the German army.
The Municipality of Reggello
The territory of Reggello has all the features making Tuscany and the area of Florence particularly appealing: not only the pleasant and evocative configuration of the landscape is ideal for contemplation or hiking, but the territory is also characterized by historical-artistic features of great value.
This combination makes a tour to Reggello interesting from different points of view: and after the good-palate visitor has bought his stock of precious oil, he will have the opportunity to follow the steps of the art enthusiast who, in the meanwhile, has visited or visited again the San Giovenale Triptych by Masaccio in the wonderful Pieve di Cascia, or the Angels by Antonio Rossellino in San Clemente, has admired Ghirlandaio's works in the important Pieve di Pitiana, and, passing through Caselli, Cancelli, Fronzano, Arfoli (just to quote some of the churches preserving important paintings and frescoes from the 14th to 20th century), he arrived in Vallombrosa, which, at the end of the steep trail developing among the trees, represents a great museum of sacred art with its church rich in altars set in a monasterial complex of great architectural and spiritual importance.
- Further information (Italian text)
