Attractions and Places To See around Vicchio - Top 20

Marian shrine dating back to the 15th century, built on the site of a pre-existing medieval monastic oratory from the 10th/11th centuries. It was later expanded in subsequent centuries, reaching its current 19th-century structure. Beautiful view of the valley below.

Starting from Florence, the climb presents few difficulties and is pleasant. The climb to Fiesole is the toughest part, but it's less than four kilometers with an average gradient of 5% and a peak of 8%. After passing the Fiesole square, there are about 10 kilometers of road, mostly uphill but with a fairly easy gradient, and the view that opens up over the valley makes the effort worthwhile. At the intersection of roads that we Florentines call the "four roads," you can turn right, take the final ramp and descend into the beautiful Mugello valley, but in this case I continued straight to the village of Bivigliano. The road isn't long but includes a short 11% climb, fortunately very brief. In Bivigliano, there are refreshments and a public fountain in the square.

With a steep climb you quickly reach this beautiful sanctuary located in a panoramic position over the Sieve valley. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Sasso is part of the Parish of Lubaco - Diocese of Fiesole - and is located above the town of S. Brigida, Municipality of Pontassieve. On 2 July 1484 the Madonna appeared with Baby Jesus in the arms of two little sisters named Ricovera, on the rock adjacent to a tabernacle near a hermit settlement (later incorporated into the Sanctuary), which was the refuge and oratory of Saint Andrew of Scotland (actually of Ireland, also called Andrea Scoto), brother of Saint Brigid of Ireland, the Saint who chose as a place of hermitage a cave not far away, about 2 km, where the town that will take the name of Santa Brigida will later arise. Between 1484 and 1485, the Madonna appeared several times to the Ricovera shepherdesses, asking that a church be built in that same place because, she told the two Ricovera shepherdesses: "Here I like to be venerated and from here to pour out graces on those who ask me for them". But it was the great apparition of the Madonna with the Baby Jesus in her arms in front of all the people, several hundred people who were gathered there to pray on 22 August 1485, that definitively resolved the doubts about the previous apparitions and gave the final push to the construction of the Sanctuary, which was completed in 1504. Between 1615 and 1675, the large portico facing the facades was also built, so that the numerous pilgrims could find refuge there in case of bad weather.

nice climb with perfect new tarmac

Worth seeing when the water flow is high, the trail passes directly behind the water

The formation of the rock is very particular, the possibility of walking behind the waterfall is truly unique. To be seen when the water flow is more intense

The monumental architectural complex of Monte Senario belongs to the Order of the Servants of Mary, and is located on the top of the mountain of the same name at around 800 m. above sea level. In 1233 seven Florentine nobles retreated to this place to live a hermit life, taking the name of Servi di Maria. For some years they lived in meditation in small cells dug into the rock, until, in 1241, having received the ruins of the castle as a gift from the bishop, they built the first convent. Convent of Montesenario Thus was born the Order of the Servants of Mary, which since then had its headquarters in the Sanctuary of Monte Senario and from here spread throughout the world. The architectural structure of the primitive nucleus was modified several times, in particular in 1400, and since then other profound modifications and expansions followed which led to the current architectural complex. It is made up of several buildings: the Church of S. Maria, recently restored to its eighteenth-century splendor, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, a notable work by G. Battista Foggini, the Chapel of the Seven Saints, which houses the remains of the Seven Founding Fathers, the Choir , with eighteenth-century carved walnut stalls; the convent, with the fifteenth-century cloister and the Medici cistern dominated by a large panoramic terrace. The numerous works of art date back mainly to the seventeenth century, such as the large fresco of The Last Supper by Matteo Rosselli in the refectory and the polychrome stucco Crucifix by Ferdinando Tacca, above the main altar. The main buildings are flanked by the caves and cells once inhabited by the Servants of Mary and the ice house, a nineteenth-century building of singular architecture, considered the largest of its kind in Italy.

Beautiful sanctuary with a long and fascinating history. A very beautiful and intimate place of meditation, I really enjoyed visiting it, hearing and seeing the friars praying and singing. It is also a stop on the Via degli Dei so it is equipped with a fountain, services and sandwich service on the weekend. The forest that surrounds it and the avenue that cuts through it to lead to the Sanctuary are also very beautiful. Nearby there are also springs, the largest ice house in Europe and the old "caves" which were the residences of the 7 founders.