Top 20 Natural Monuments around Agliana

Parco delle Cascine di Tavola is a protected natural area and a public park of about 300 hectares located in the southern area of the municipality of Prato. Born in the 15th century at the behest of Lorenzo the Magnificent, it represents the city's main green lung and combines immense historical, landscape, and agricultural value. History and Medici Origins Conceived in the 15th century together with the nearby Villa Medicea di Poggio a Caiano. It was born as a model farm with a dense network of canals for land reclamation from swamps. The Medici Farm: A square-plan building with a water moat, built by Giuliano da Sangallo between 1477 and 1479 for livestock breeding and the production of cheeses destined for Florence.

It is the pinnacle of Prato's hikes, starting from the slopes to get some fresh air, or for those with more time, as a stopping point for beautiful hikes in Calvana.

The holm oak of Faltognano is a monumental tree that is over a century old and is located near the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Faltognano, in the municipality of Vinci in the province of Florence. It is a specimen of holm oak (Quercus ilex) that has a trunk circumference of 4.60 m, is 11 m tall and dates back to before 1750 according to the inventory of monumental trees of Tuscany (progressive n°47). Over time it has undergone numerous prunings and interventions that have partially reduced its size and grandeur and altered its shape, which was once more dome-shaped. The plant has suffered from fungal attacks in recent decades and requires periodic care; at the moment various safety systems have been installed such as ropes, supports and a railing around the trunk to prevent branches from falling and limit access. In 2007 it received the Touring Club Award, an award announced by the TCI consuls of Tuscany for monumental trees. It is the symbol of the community of Faltognano and is located a short distance from the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci and the center of the city of Vinci; a center that can be seen inside the wonderful panoramic view that can be enjoyed from the foot of the tree.

Devil's Boulder. It is a particular monolith located on the edge of a plateau surrounded by centenary holm oaks, similar - with smaller dimensions - to the so-called Etruscan Pyramid of Bomarzo. On the boulder there are writings that probably date back to a couple of centuries ago and indecipherable signs but what is most striking are the deep grooves perhaps due to uses and rituals that are lost in the mists of time. It is called "The Devil's Boulder" and is surrounded by centuries-old holm oaks in the Pietramarina woods, one of the most mysterious environments of Montalbano. The boulder is located near an area occupied by an Etruscan settlement, perhaps a sacrificial altar renamed "of the devil" by Christians to exorcise its pagan affiliation or, as a legend has it, "of the devil" because the devil left the the imprint of his hoof. However, the “Masso di Pietramarina” makes this corner of Montalbano suggestive and mysterious. It was also in a strategic position, given that from the top it is possible to see the sea.

Panoramic point on the ridge of the Calvana mountains, from which to admire the Prato plain

Just a nice place!

A summit cross rises on Monte Retaia - although not at the highest point of the mountain, but in an impressive location. It rests on a brick foundation with a stepped, man-high base in which a niche protected by a grille is embedded. The cross itself is not made of wood, as is often the case, but of metal. The interior of the longitudinal and transverse beams (which are only indicated by the outlines) is stabilized by a series of x-shaped struts. Furthermore, there is a metal circle around the crossing that is somewhat reminiscent of a halo. However, the cross has no body.

Cross that stands out on Calvana