Castel San Niccolò
Castel San Niccolò: a dive into the history and culture of Tuscany
If you want to travel to discover a small Tuscan town, then you must visit Castel San Niccolò. This scattered municipality, which counts around 2,500 inhabitants, is located in the province of Arezzo and is divided into many hamlets, each with its own history and traditions. In this article, I will tell you about some of the most relevant hamlets, the cultural and artistic heritage of the territory, and the great importance of Abies cultivation. But let's go in order.
History
Castel San Niccolò has an ancient and fascinating history that has its roots in the Middle Ages. The territory was previously dominated by the Guidi Counts of Poppi, who also owned the hamlet of Borgo alla Collina, a medieval village that still preserves its ancient castle from the 11th-12th century. In the fifteenth century, Borgo alla Collina was instead part of the territories administered by the Florentine Republic. Over the centuries, Castel San Niccolò has undergone various dominations, until it became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1776, as part of the municipality of Castel San Niccolò following a grand ducal reform.
Symbols
The symbol of Castel San Niccolò is a castle surrounded by a wall, topped by three battlemented towers connected by a wooden beam, with the inscription "Castel San Niccolò" below the castle. The municipal flag consists of a yellow drape.
Society
Ethnic and foreign minorities
According to ISTAT data as of December 31, 2009, the foreign resident population was 224 people. The nationalities most represented based on their percentage of the total resident population were Romanian (4.17%) and Macedonian (1.43%).
Culture
Castel San Niccolò has a great cultural and artistic heritage. In the municipal territory, there is the Museum of Castellana Civilization, which is part of the path of the Castellana civilization system. Moreover, in the main hamlet Strada in Casentino, the Biennial of Carved Stone takes place, which is now at its sixteenth edition and is the most important event in the area. It is an event in which artists and stonemasons (whose tradition is very strong in this area) exhibit their work.
Anthropogenic geography
The municipality of Castel San Niccolò has several hamlets, and in this article, we will talk about some of the most important ones.
Borgo alla Collina
Borgo alla Collina is a hamlet of Castel San Niccolò that preserves intact traces of its medieval past. Its castle, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, is the most representative element of the hamlet. The castle, which still preserves an original square tower, was granted to Cristoforo Landino in the fifteenth century as a reward for the services rendered. In the medieval village, there are also the church of San Donato, where you can admire the Monumental Tomb of Cristoforo Landino and the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a work by the Master of Borgo alla Collina from 1423.
Cetica
Cetica is a very important hamlet for the cultivation of Abies, which are used for Christmas markets. The hamlet is crossed by the State Road 70 and develops at the foot of the Falterona massif. Its position makes it an ideal starting point for excursions in the Campigna Nature Reserve, where you can do trekking, mountain biking, and taste high-quality local products.
Strada in Casentino
Strada in Casentino is the main hamlet of the municipality and has just under 2,000 inhabitants. This hamlet gave the name to the Biennial of Carved Stone, which is the most important event in the area. Upon entering Strada in Casentino, you are welcomed by the Castle of Strada, an imposing building that has undergone several transformations over the centuries. The church of San Niccolò, the Palazzo del Podesta, and the Clock Tower are other important buildings of the historic center of the hamlet.
In conclusion, Castel San Niccolò is a Tuscan municipality that will surprise you with its medieval history, traditions, and cultural heritage. The hamlets of Borgo alla Collina, Cetica, and Strada in Casentino are just some of the must-see destinations in this area, which with its Abies cultivation, its stonemasons, and its Biennial of Carved Stone, represents an ideal destination for those who want to spend a holiday in the nature, culture, and good Tuscan cuisine.
