Antella
Discovering Antella: a short tourist guide
Antella is a beautiful hamlet in the municipality of Bagno a Ripoli, located in the metropolitan city of Florence, with nearly 3000 inhabitants. Crossed by the Isone stream, it is a place characterized by the Tuscan hill landscape and millenary history.
History
The center of the town is the Ubaldino Peruzzi square, which hosts the monument to the politician who was mayor of Florence during the period when the city was the capital of Italy. The pre-eighteenth-century settlements are episodic and circumscribed to the medieval parish church, around which the first urban nucleus developed in the XIX century.
It is around the intersection between Via di Pulicciano/Via Romanelli and Via dell'Antella that, in the early decades of the 1900s, the settlement developed. The growth mainly occurred on the hydrographic right of the Borro di San Donato, blocked to the north by the construction of the Autostrada del Sole, which represents an insurmountable barrier towards the north.
Urban expansion continues towards the north-west (Via dell'Antella) and north-east (Via Ubaldino Peruzzi), with the realization of the monumental cemetery that takes place in the eastern sector. Urban expansion also affects the north-eastern areas around Via Ubaldino Peruzzi and the valley areas to the south-west, beyond the Borro di San Donato.
Climate
Winters are characterized by quite mild temperatures, while summers are very hot. On August 5, 2003, the maximum value of 44.4°C was reached, which is the highest temperature ever recorded in Tuscany. The average annual rainfall is around 880 mm.
Events
The Antella Fair is a highly anticipated event held on the first weekend and Monday of October in the town center of Antella. Established for the first time in 1851, this ancient event became a stable tradition from 1872 when, alongside a biweekly livestock market, the Municipality established an annual fair of animals and goods on the Wednesday and Thursday preceding the more famous San Luca Fair in Impruneta.
What to Visit
Antella offers many opportunities for visits and excursions in the surrounding nature. One of the main attractions is the Church of San Lorenzo a Pinone, built at the end of the XV century. It is a masterpiece of Renaissance art, containing many art treasures inside, including a table of Ghirlandaio with Madonna with Child and St. John.
Among the other attractions, we point out the Museum of Sacred Art, located inside the Church of San Pietro a Pezzana, where you can admire masterpieces of sacred art from various historical periods. Another must-visit for art lovers is the Guido Peyron House-Museum, where you can see works of art and design objects.
Moreover, Antella offers the opportunity to practice sports such as trekking and mountain biking, thanks to the presence of numerous trails and naturalistic routes. Among these, we point out the Montecuccoli Forest Trail, which offers a splendid panoramic view of the surrounding hills.
What to Eat
The Tuscan cuisine is a delight for the palate, and Antella offers numerous opportunities to taste the true traditional cuisine. Among the typical dishes, we point out the ribollita, a dish based on stale bread, vegetables, and legumes, the Lampredotto, a dish composed of the inside of the bovine stomach, and tripe. Furthermore, the area is famous for its wines, such as Chianti Rufina, perfect to pair with the specialties of Tuscan cuisine.
Conclusions
Antella is a fascinating place, rich in history and natural beauties. With its delicious cuisine and traditional events, Antella represents an ideal destination for those who want to discover the true Tuscany.
