Things to do in Loro Ciuffenna

Top Things to Do in Loro Ciuffenna

Things to Do in Loro Ciuffenna

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Top Attractions in Loro Ciuffenna

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What travellers are saying

  • Sheryl67
    Hereford, AZ207 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    So much history! Unique church with mystical past. Worth a visit based on how unique it is! Dates back to before Charlemagne! If you watch Ancient Alien Civilizations or like the Knights of the Templar, come here!
    Written 20 May 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Margaret David ... H
    Loro Ciuffenna, Italy3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Splendid walk and fresh air
    Beware of the big white cows!!!
    Nice restaurant for warm drinks and cake...
    Written 12 February 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Randy H
    Orlando, Florida, United States14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stayed a week in December 2017. Very pretty little town from the past. This little town has a lot of charm. It is quiet cool though during the time of year we went. A trip we will always remember. I can still hear the waterfalls at night. Nice to sleep by.
    Written 6 November 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Brun066
    Florence, Italy12,580 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We tried to get from Loro Ciuffenna by car up to the "Pratomagno" ridge, on a cold Sunday in December, hoping to have some fun walking in the snow of the high altitudes.
    Following a road that was known to us, but which we had not done for decades, we climbed up to the picturesque mountain village of Anciolina (930 meters above sea level), which once had many dozens (if not a hundred) of inhabitants; but that today, as we were reported, only retains 17 permanent ones. Yet, incredibly, there is an open bar-shop: honor to the owner, a kind girl who also enjoys nature photography. In fact, in the bar two pictures of foxes are exposed, surprises while in the evening they come to look for food in the area.
    From different spots in Anciolina - the village keeps a compact nucleus of well-preserved ancient buildings - you can enjoy a wide panorama, which with clear weather embraces almost all of southern Tuscany.
    Also worthy of note is the tiny church, in which the local community for the holidays has set up eighteen cribs (if I counted them well), among large, small and tiny ones.
    Our journey continued beyond Anciolina, however, it had to stop on the Via Panoramica del Pratomagno, at the junction with "Via della Bottigliana". From there on, in fact, the road to the summit, ie the "Croce del Pratomagno" was for large stretches covered by a layer of frozen snow, very dangerous even for cars with chains. We then continued on foot for a while, observing the evocative "embroideries" of the ice on the bushes and on the dry branches of the undergrowth.
    It was overall a pleasant experience, even though we could not get to the top.
    Written 11 December 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The church began as the Guidi family chapel in the 1200's and a subsequent remodeling circa 1333 enlarged and integrated the church into the town's walls. It's a very modest little Romanesque sandstone church and is always open to the public.

    It is quite dark inside and the art is sometimes difficult to see but it is there: frescoes on the upper wall, a polyptych alter piece, and a rock-hewn baptismal font.

    It is a parish church today and is one of two within the Old Town parameters (the second being much newer).

    The 1500's A.D. frescoes were detached from the original church and restored during renovation. Three major ones are: The Annunciation, The Visitation of St. Elizabeth with the Holy Martyrs, and The Martyrdom of St. Agnes.

    The altar polyptych of Madonna and Child dates to the 1440's and the artist's identity is not certain. Along the walls are paintings and some in particular stands out: Christ in Pieta and Crucifixion.

    Outside in the small courtyard there is nothing truly remarkable but the lintel above the doorway has a Medieval Lamb and a cross carved into the stone.

    The origins of the church put it in the control of the Guidi family who were the lords of the castle. They did open the church up to the public.

    Upon entry into the church, the very rustic apse (semi-circular) looks to be carved from the stone. Above the apse is a beautiful but very faded fresco of the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist.

    This is a country church made all the more special by its simplicity.
    Written 9 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Venturino Venturi (1918-2022) is a home-grown Loro Ciuffenna artist. Although his family did move to France for a significant part of his childhood, he did come back to Italy to further his artistic studies.

    He started his training as a stone mason (following in dad's footsteps) and that may account for his ability to manipulate stone as he does in his sculptures. He depicts people done in a chunky style (sometimes smooth, sometimes not) and manages to convey some sensuality in his pieces.

    He did spend some of his war service woring in a hospital, caring for soldiers, and he has a series of what looks like hospital floor tiles rendered on canvas or paper.

    As a lonely child growing up, he lamented his lost childhood. His fascination with Pinocchio is evidenced in many pieces of his non-stone work. His artistic vision of Pinocchio is menacing (in my opinion) but however one perceives it, his execution of the subject matter is 100% unique.

    The museum is on the ground floor of the administrative offices for the town and shares space with the information office. If you have questions, these folks are extremely helpful and informative. There is a small fee for admission.

    The museum is composed of 6 exhibition rooms with 38 sculptures and 56 drawings. It is the repository of 40 years of his artistic life. Every section has its own information poster to help guide the viewer through the many stages of the artist's creative process.

    This is located just across the modern bridge (not the pedestrian stone bridge), just upon entry to Piazza Matteotti.
    Written 9 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a medieval, Roman, humpback, sandstone bridge (pedestrian traffic only) which would have seen access to the Castle of Loro (fortified village) for travelers between the mountains (pratomagno) and the valley floor.

    Travelers would have stopped at the Customs House barracks (still in evidence today) to pay the required fees. The barracks would have housed the Customs officials. Today, the remains of the 2 shields are still identifiable: one for the arms of Loro Ciuffinna and one for the Counts of Guidi (lords of the castle). One of those shields is badly damaged (anyone make a guess as to which shield that may be?)

    Remains of the castle foundation are termed "castrum lauri" (i.e. castle "walls") and the foundation eventually formed a natural kind of moat. Looking down and around the bottom of the steep banks to the river, these foundations can only be visual reminders of a long ago past lost in the passage of time.

    One thousand years will do that. Thankfully, remnants remain and the past is not entirely lost to history.
    Written 8 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    There is no record that the famous "Dante" ever lived (even for a short time) in present day Loro Ciuffenna. He was a son of Florence but did end up exiled for backing the wrong horse in the political kerfuffle of politics. But Florence is near by and Dante was famous and so, there is no rhyme or reason for why this stretch of "via" should bear his name.

    Back in the pre-Tuscan era (i.e. Etruscan) there is no record of Dante (1265-1320) having been exiled here. But his writing and legacy has the makings of a story of epic proportions. And the town fathers have honored him by naming this significant "via" through the town.

    Along the way, there is access to the Guido family chapel (Church of Santa Maria Assunta) dating to the Medieval Ages and along the way, touching upon the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, and an original tower gate. This area also has some interesting local shopping areas where it helps to have language translating help. However sign language is good (it worked for us).

    So, the nod to Dante may in fact be a historical salute to the Medieval Ages and to the times that saw the castle area here (Old Town) develop. Now we visitors get a glimpse into the past, see the castle rock wall ruins, and can only imagine what this would have looked like 1,000 years ago. Go to the church and look at the frescos.
    Written 8 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Between La Ferriera (Residence) and the Piazza Garibaldi this nearly private little stretch of road/walkway is an absolute delight. It is under a mile in length but it packs a mighty punch on the scenic and beauty meter. How lucky were we, (pedestrians solely) we got to walk this lovely strip of God's own country often.

    On one side of the road, the steep hillside soars up high into the hills and on the other side, the Ciuffenna river lies on the downslope. And no matter which side, it is all Tuscan eyeball candy. Bi-pedal by choice (as in: no car, this was not on our immersion experience, and for us it was all about the local culture experience). When we got to the stone archway, the walk ended and the Piazza Garibaldi began. And That is a whole other review!

    From here, walk to the left cross the modern bridge to go to the Old Town Loro Ciuffenna or go to the right for a walk down into the more "commercial" Loro Ciuffenna (cemetery and Carrafour Express (grocery store) and also to the Venturi sculpture in the round-about).

    Pure delight. Loved every walk we took down this peaceful lane. It brought Tuscany (and the entire Tuscan experience) to life for us.
    Written 7 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    From the stone arch at the end of Via Ferriera to the big bridge over into the Old Town of Loro Ciuffinna is situated this modest plaza which holds a street faire on Monday mornings. Clothing, food carts, and many other items are offered for sale.

    The local Misericordia (medical services) building is also located here, as well as a bank (ATM) and several residential units upstairs from these businesses.

    At the end of this oak tree lined piazza is a mountain water drinking fountain (looks a little like a fire hydrant, it is red) and several benches overlooking the river. Most importantly, there is an historical plaque near a tree in which Nazis hung 3 elderly men. There was a 4th man (much younger) who escaped.

    The plaque translation says: "Hanged from this plant (tree) on June 15, 1944 fellow citizens (followed by three names), victims of Nazi fascist hatred, died. Partisan resistance fighters in the hills of Italy were active in raising obstacles to German advancement. They often changed road signs thus confusing German military advancement, tampered with telephone lines, and all manner of guerrilla warfare.

    This plaza also has a substantial number of parking places and is one of the 4 designated parking areas in this small Old Town area. The newer stretch of Loro Ciuffenna lies down Via Gaspari and Via Piana.
    Written 8 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • on_the_go_98765
    Tucson18,350 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Once upon a time, during the Medieval ages, there sat a castle on this site of lovely Old Town Loro Ciuffenna. Now, 1,000 years later, the castle walls are in ruins (only parts of the rock base remain along the river's edge) but there are some inklings of what it may have been like, if one looks hard enough.

    The Clock Tower is an 1800's rebuild of remnants of one of the two castle gates. The archway suggests what once was. It is somewhat attached to the old church of Santa Maria (1200's) and lies very close to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II (read that to be the good king, not to be confused with the 3rd).

    Today the tower gate is noteworthy for a fine restaurant under its arch, bearing the name "Ristorante La Torre." So, this is essentially an 1800's do-over of a crumbling 1,000 year old gate and we have to thank the Loro Ciuffenna fathers for that foresight to save some iota of the past.

    This clock tower/castle gate is quite a terra cotta orange eye-catcher that any visitor to the Old Town of Loro Ciuffenna cannot miss. It is called the Tower Gate as well as the Clock Tower. And both are appropriate.

    This used to be part of the Guidi family castle. Their chapel/church very near-by is most certainly a must on any visitor's to-do list. But that is a whole other review.
    Written 8 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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