Valle Benedetta
Welcome to Valle Benedetta: a lovely place surrounded by the hills of Livorno
Valle Benedetta is a small village in the municipality of Livorno, located at the foot of Poggio Lecceta, about 9 kilometers from the city center. Despite its wild and inhospitable origins, this lovely place has become famous for its history and monuments.
History: from the Valley of Hell to the founding of the Church of San Giovanni Gualberto
Historically, Valle Benedetta was known as the Valley of Hell and represented an inhospitable territory, inhabited by wolves and bandits. However, in the 17th century, thanks to the initiative of the Vallombrosana Congregation of Colombino Bassi, a Livorno native, the Church of San Giovanni Gualberto was founded, dedicated to Giovanni Gualberto with the adjoining monastery. With the complicity of Grand Duke Cosimo III de' Medici, the land was purchased by the knight Francesco Lante di Pisa and the complex, designed by the Livorno-born Lorenzi, was entrusted to the monks of the Order of St. Benedict, from whom the entire valley took its name.
Villa Huygens and the windmill: a historical heritage to preserve
The history of Valle Benedetta is enriched by numerous monuments of great historical and artistic value. Around the 1700s, the Dutch merchant Giovanni Antonio Huygens di Amburgo played a significant role in the construction of the church and convent of Valle Benedetta. In addition, around 1742, with the authorization of Grand Duke Francesco Stefano di Lorena, his son Filippo Huygens erected some windmills, which were used for the milling of wheat produced in the nearby flatlands. Today, only some traces of these windmills remain, which represent an important historical heritage to preserve.
Monuments and places of interest: discover the beauty of Valle Benedetta
Valle Benedetta is a place of great natural and artistic beauty. Among the monuments and places of interest in the area, it is worth mentioning the Church of San Giovanni Gualberto, the hills of Livorno, the Hermitage of Santa Maria alla Sambuca, and the Aqueduct of Colognole. These works represent an important historical testimony to the past of Valle Benedetta.
Infrastructure and transportation: how to reach Valle Benedetta
Valle Benedetta can only be reached via two municipal roads: the municipal road of Valle Benedetta, which starts from the locality of Salviano, and the municipal road of Vallicelle, which can only be traversed with a Utility truck ¼ t 4x4 Jeep and Motorcycle. Instead, coming from Collesalvetti, a road connects Valle Benedetta to the village of Colognole and then to State Road 206, while a branch leads to the road that connects Gabbro to Livorno.
In conclusion, Valle Benedetta represents a unique experience, a journey into the past to discover the natural and artistic beauty of this enchanted place. Come and visit it and let its history guide you in discovering a beautiful reality.
