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CUTIGLIANO
Cutigliano features a prestigious history as the palaces
and the public monuments can witness. It was already a flourishing
centre in the period of the Longobards and started to grow from
1368 when, under domination of Pistoia, the Magistracy of the Mountain
was transferred here. The Palazzo dei Capitani was raised in the
14th century and dominates the main square and can be distinguished
for the almost 100 armorial bearings on the façade which
represent the Capitani.
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In
front of the palace you find the fountain from the 15th century and
a stone pilaster with a statue of the Marzocco, the symbol of Florence.
The original statue is located under the loggia at the same square,
built in the Renaissance style and embellished by a fresco of the
Madonna con Bambino from the middle of the 16th century.
Also the religious architecture has left significant traces
in Cutigliano and in the surroundings. The Chiesa della Madonna di
Piazza dates back to the Renaissance and holds a precious statue of
the Madonna in polychrome terracotta, attributed to the Robbia school.
Not far from the centre of Cutigliano you ought to visit the Chiesa
di San Bartolomeo, featuring several works of Florentine painters
from the 17th century.
Today Cutigliano is the second most important destination of
the Pistoiese Mountain for the winter sports, and in the summer it
is one of the nicest summer resorts. The marvellous location, perched
on a spur of the Monte Cuccola, makes Cutigliano the ideal start-point
for excursions to discover the Apennine nature. Thanks to its strategic
position, Cutigliano has been chosen as the hub for the itineraries
carried out by the Ecomuseum of the Pistoiese Mountain. Four of the
itineraries end here.
From Cutigliano you reach Melo, a calm summer resort from where
many trails depart for the mountain. Also visit Rivoreta, a small
village at the foot of the Monte Libro Aperto, which features the
Museo Etnologico, a museum which shows how the inhabitants of the
mountain lived. Close to Cutigliano, halfway to the Monte Serra, you
find the Pianosinatico, a pleasant summer and winter resort. Do not
miss a visit to Sestaione, to see the nice fountain from the period
of the Grand Duchy which was built to refresh the travellers who passed
by.
It is easy to reach Pian degli Ontani, a small village in the
Valley of Sestaione, where the most famous poetess of the mountain,
Beatrice Bugelli, was born. A short and pleasant walk takes you to
La Frassa, a mysterious site where you find a big sandstone rock which
according to the legend preserves a treasure thanks to the nymphs
of the forest. Pian di Novello offers a natural beauty, located in
the forest which dominates the Sestaione valley. Pian di Novello is
famous for the mushrooms which can be collected in the surrounding
forests and is a nice village both in the summer and in the winter.
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