The Municipality of Pratovecchio Stia is located within the green lung of the Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Forest Park. It’s located among ancient forests, castles, churches and sacred places that are full of mysticism and mystery.
Pratovecchio is a small medieval village with architectural features that reflect the history of the land in every detail. Pratovecchio is also the birthplace of Paolo di Dono, known as Paolo Uccello, a master of perspective from the Renaissance.
This is a land of deep faith and power with its two monasteries of the Camaldolese and Dominican sisters. It also has the majestic Castle of Romena, and the fortress of the Counts of Guidi who were mentioned by Dante in the XXX verse of “Inferno” or Hell. The Castle is open for visitors and dominates the whole Casentino area from above. It makes quite an impact with its towers, its encompassing walls, the house of the Podestà or mayor as well as the drawbridge and moat. Not far from there is the Church of Saint Peter of Romena, one of the most beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture in all of Tuscany.
The medieval village of Stia was built around the Tanucci Square and is completely surrounded by colonnades. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is located on the street of the same name. Other medieval traces can be found in places such as the Palagio Fiorentino, which was home to the Counts of Guidi. Today this site houses a collection of contemporary art. The Towers of the Porciano Castle and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie are located right outside the historic center of Stia and immersed in the woods.
This is the land of arts and of ancient artisan crafts. The famous Casentino cloth was first produced here. The artisan origins of this land are exhibited at the old woolen mill which has been transformed into the present-day Wool Museum.
The history of men, the history of struggles for power, of faith and of genius are all located in Pratovecchio Stia, right in the heart of Casentino.
