A road for pilgrims and travelers: Via Romea dell’Alpe della Serra

Chitignano is located in the heart of the Casentino, one of the Province of Arezzo’s four valleys. It boasts Etruscan origins, though its greatest period of development occurred during medieval times. Due to its position on the Catenaia Alps, there were no easy ways to reach it; nonetheless, this factor did not dissuade the development of its first commercial routes.

The small city witnessed myriad journeys by merchants and travelers, but first and foremost, it became a rest-stop for pilgrims. The latter’s spiritual journeys gave rise to the Via Romea dell’Alpe della Serra, an ancient medieval road that led to Rome, holy city where both Saint Peter and Saint Paul were martyred. Hostels/primitive hospitals sprang up along the way to host travelers and places of worship, such as hermitages and sanctuaries, were abundant.