Roundtrip from Montespertoli to the Pistoia region.
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RouteXpert Catherine De Groote RouteXpert
Last edit: 22-04-2021
Route Summary
Located in the heart of Italy, Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. This is due to the combination of an abundance of art treasures and a fascinatingly beautiful nature.This is a region for those who love natural beauty and genuine art of living, heart-warming hospitality and spontaneous pride. This is a compelling story written by the Medicis and Dante Alighieri, colored by Michelangelo and Botticelli. A region that cherishes its ancient treasures and preserves its harmony, which leads winding roads through wheat fields and vineyards, past Etruscans and Romans, Renaissance and Middle Ages.
Those looking for the ideal mix of culture, art, history, nature and gastronomy will certainly find what they are looking for in Tuscany.
The Pistoia region is one of the smallest regions in Tuscany and borders the regions of Firenze, Prato and Lucca and the province of Emilia-Romagna. The capital of the region is Pistoia of the same name, a pleasant small town with a beautiful cathedral, baptistery and bell tower.
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Verdict
Duration
9h 14m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
222.15 km
Countries
Vinci
RouteXpert Review
You leave in Montespertoli, where you can rent a holiday home (airbnb). This ride takes us north. We combine enjoying nature and the landscape with a taste of the culture.Empoli is a busy region that you will leave behind as soon as possible. Vinci with its famous resident Leonardo da Vinci is well worth a visit.
Housed in a 13th-century castle, Museo Leonardiano focuses on Leonardo's inventions. There is an exhibition space where designs of his inventions can be found. There are changing exhibitions on the top floor. This is located in Palazzina Uzielli. The other part of the museum, Castello dei Conti Guidi, houses some 60 models of his inventions, such as flying machines and scientific instruments. In addition, all inventions are provided with digital and interactive images and videos to make it as clear as possible to the visitor. Museo Leonardiano is located at Via della Torre 2.
Museo Ideal Leonardo da Vinci is underground, below the town's castle. Above the museum is a square with a large 3D model of the Vitruvian man. In this museum you can see the diversity of the versatile artist / scientist. Both original documents and replicas of inventions can be admired. Of course you can also admire artworks by Leonardo. Museo Ideal Leonardo da Vinci is located at Via di Montalbano 2.
Leonardo was baptized in Santa Croce in Vinci and moved to Florence in 1468. The church can be visited from the inside and the baptismal font, which is centuries old, is present here. It is therefore assumed that Leonardo was also baptized in this baptismal font. Chiesa di Santa Croce is located at 9 Via Giorgio la Pira.
3 km from the museum, in Anchiano, is the house where Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1542. The rural house has recently been restored and is open to the public again. At the T-junction, turn right to visit the birthplace. The house itself is simple, in contrast to the modern interior of the museum. In the house there are a large number of sketches of the surrounding nature drawn by Leonardo. For those who have little time, a visit to the house is not really recommended, it is better to spend the full time at the museum.
The road winds on. There are few, if any, straights, but there is no shortage of hairpin turns. The road is in good condition, which makes it a lot of fun to drive. You leave Pistoia on the right and continue north. The Montagna pistoiese is without a doubt the nature reserve to visit in the province of Pistoia. Due to its high elevation, it is one of the coolest places in Tuscany and there are mainly pines, chestnut trees, beech trees and oaks. In some places microclimates have arisen, resulting in an enormous diversity of fauna.
A final visit on this ride is in Poggio a Caiano, the Medici villa. Well worth a stop. The Villa Medici in Poggio a Caiano was built in the late 15th and early 16th century for Lorenzo de'Medici (Lorenzo il Magnifico) as a summer residence. In the centuries since, the villa has been regularly expanded and renovated and inhabited by several important figures. Like the king of Italy when Florence was the country's capital. The villa, which is now a museum, was one of the most interesting buildings of the early Renaissance. Striking are the grand entrance, which is reminiscent of the reception area of Roman villas, and the open loggia that runs the entire length of the ground floor.
This route receives 4.5 stars. The landscape is varied, the roads are mostly in good condition and there are also some interesting visits.
Poggio a Caiano, de villa Medicea
Passo della Collina - Collina Vecchia
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Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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