Sant'ellero
Discovering Sant'Ellero: a suburb of Florence
Hello friends, today I want to talk to you about Sant'Ellero, a delightful suburb located halfway between the municipalities of Pelago and Reggello, in the province of Florence.
The history of Sant'Ellero
The name of the suburb derives from the ancient Monastery of Sant'Ellero or Sant'Ilario in Alfiano, which dates back to the early Middle Ages and was later fortified with a castle. The tower of the castle still overlooks the suburb today and is a symbol of its history. Today the complex is privately owned and includes the church, cloister, galleries, and monastery chambers.
Sant'Ellero and transport
The Sant'Ellero station on the old Florence-Rome railway line has contributed to the development of the suburb. In addition, Sant'Ellero was the terminus of the Sant'Ellero-Saltino Railway, a tourist rack railway that connected the Sant'Ellero suburb with Saltino di Reggello and the famous Vallombrosa.
Today, the Sant'Ellero station is still active and serves numerous regional trains that travel between Florence and Rome. In addition, the suburb is crossed by the State Road 69 of Val d'Arno and is served by buses from Autolinee Chianti Valdarno in the direction of Pontassieve, Florence, and Arezzo.
Curiosities of Sant'Ellero
Sant'Ellero is also famous for a very particular scene in the movie "Amici miei". In the movie, the four friends watch the 1966 Arno flood and the scene was shot in a clearing on the State Road 69 just above the Sant'Ellero station. Even today, the location can be recognized.
Conclusions
In summary, Sant'Ellero is a surprisingly charming suburb that never ceases to amaze. Rich in history, with an efficient railway infrastructure and a strategic location along the State Road 69 of Val d'Arno, Sant'Ellero is an ideal destination for a day trip or a relaxing vacation. Personally, I recommend taking a walk along the Arno river and enjoying the splendor of the surrounding nature.
