Discovering Stia: A Hidden Gem in Tuscany's Casentino Area

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Hello, dear friends,

Just today I realized I had forgotten to share with you some photos I took, once again in the Casentino area, which is in the province of Arezzo. Since I wasn't sure what to share today, I decided to talk about this place that many of you probably don't know. I'm referring to Stia, a village in the municipality of Pratovecchio in the province of Arezzo. It's a little gem, in my opinion, and it's definitely worth visiting, especially if you're already planning to explore Porciano Castle, which I mentioned in a previous post.

Stia has ancient origins. It seems that its existence was documented as early as the year 1000, in the medieval period, due to its significant wool production. This industry contributed to the town's development. Additionally, this area lies on major roads that connect with Florence and Arezzo, which surely played a role in boosting trade and adding to the importance of this location.

As usual, I explored the streets of the town, which seems to be quite populated, with a population of nearly 2,000 inhabitants. That might seem like a small number to some, but for places like this, it's quite a lot. The first thing I noticed was a river running through the town, with a waterfall right in the center, creating a beautiful and scenic setting.

I continued my walk and got lost among the streets of this village. I paused in front of its beautiful church, which is actually the Pieve of Santa Maria Assunta, a Romanesque church from the 12th century. Unfortunately, as always seems to be the case for me, I couldn't visit the inside.

I kept going, and eventually, I arrived at a square with a strange monument. I later learned that it used to be a fountain decorated with the emblem of Stia, but unfortunately, it no longer has running water. I continued my walk, venturing into these streets that sometimes felt like a maze—it’s quite exciting to explore, but you need to be careful not to accidentally end up in someone's home.

I was surprised to find out about a unique museum here. It's the ski museum, which houses a rich collection of ancient skis, ski equipment, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the surrounding mountains. It's a pity I couldn't visit it; from what I understood, it's run by a volunteer and is open only on Sunday afternoons, but it seemed like a very interesting place.

I continued my stroll until I reached the spot where I had parked my car. After having a good coffee at a local cafe in the center, I headed home.

In conclusion, I can say that this visit was a wonderful discovery. The place has remained original and traditional, seemingly unchanged over time. It's a shame I couldn't visit the more artistic and cultural spots, but that's for the next time.

I hope the photos, as usual, virtually took you along with me. I'll see you on my next adventure, and I wish you all a wonderful day!