Castiglion Fiorentino (Arezzo) is a village with Roman origins on a hill overlooking the Valdichiana on one side and the Val di Chio on the other.
Castiglion Fiorentino has preserved medieval city walls and is dominated by the Cassero fortress.
The historic center is made up of noble buildings and stunning monuments.
Among the main points of interest of the town we can admire the Gothic Church of San Francesco, the Collegiata, and the Church of Gesù, all rich with precious works of art. A must see is the Loggiato Vasariano, from the 16th century; the Castle of Montecchio, built in the 13th century with its castle walls still intact; the Piazzale del Cassero, where recent archaeological digs have brought to light some remains of an Etruscan wall (4th century B.C.).
The Church of San Angelo boasts an artistic heritage of high quality: standing out is the medieval gold jewelry and the works of Bartolomeo della Gatta and Taddeo Gaddi. Thanks to the advantageous location of Castiglion Fiorentino, it is easy to reach quickly all the most important tourist destinations and all the main art towns in Tuscany and Umbria.
Activities and events in Castiglion Fiorentino
| Shops | Km 7 |
|---|---|
| Riding School | Km 10 |
| Five-a-side football field | Km 5 |
| Public swimming pool | Km 5 |
| Tennis courts | Km 5 |
| Hospital | Km 15 |
| Golf courses | Km 20 |
| Sport fishing | Km 10 |
| Train station | Km 8 |
| Recreational Flying Club | Km 7 |
| Car and bike rental & taxi service | |
| Rafting | Km 150 |
Religious processions
During the week before Easter, in accordance with Christian traditions, evocative processions along the streets are organized in Castiglion Fiorentino to recall the passion of Chirst.
The representatives of three "Compagnie", all dressed in different colours to distinguish the group they belong to (Compagnia S. Antonio in white; Buona Morte in black; and Compagnia del Gesù in blue) take part in a parade along the streets with their hoods on behind the "Crociferi" and bearing on their shoulders some full-sized wooden statues representing a moment of the passion of Christ.
Maggio Castiglionese
May is full of events enhancing the territory: fairs, exhibitions, concerts, contests and competitions, food festivals, amusement parks and cultural events attract thousands of people every year.
In particular, on 7th May the inhabitants celebrate San Michele, the patron saint of Castiglion Fiorentino, and organize religious events, food festivals and entertainment that culminates with stunning fireworks.
Palio dei Rioni
The Palio dei Rioni takes place on the third Sunday of June, the day when the Madonna delle Grazie del Rivaio is celebrated. This tournament is an engaging horse race where the three quarters of the town (Rione Cassero, Porta Fiorentina and Porta Romana) compete accompanied by medieval costumed parades and flag throwers performances.
The day before the race every quarter organizes a propitiatory dinner to invoke victory by singing and drinking.
Live nativity scene
On Christmas season, the streets in the historic center of Castiglion Fiorentino become full of people thanks to the live nativity scene.
Hundreds of inhabitants take part in this representation wearing period costumes and playing different roles.
Visitors can use the "denarius castiglionensis", a currency that is especially coined for the event, to buy food and beverages.
