Short circuit taking in some of the major monuments of the area around Pelago.

Starting point
To your convenience, Pelago can be chosen as a starting point. Here, we mention:
- the historical centre, developed as a market centre at the foot of the castle;
- the Collection of Sacred Art, in the pieve of St. Clemente, within what used to be the castle walls.
Past Pelago, the road steeply climbs to Diacceto, where worth mentioning are villa Ciofi (no visits inside) and the nearby neo-gothic tower.
 

At Ferrano and Ristonchi
At the exit of the village, along the national road nr 70 leading to the Consuma, a road to the right takes you to Ferrano with a neo-gothic castle and, to the left above you, near the Medieval church of S. Maria, a remarkable fortified house, at present transformed into a private residence.
The tarred road becomes a gravel road and leads you to Ristonchi, a few houses around an imposing medieval tower, the original nucleus of the ancient castle. Every building has been properly restored.

Going downhill
The gravel road now quickly descends towards Paterno, where it becomes tarred again; nearby, a farm belonging to the abbey of Vallombrosa (visits not allowed). Now, a narrow scenic road leads towards Altomena, where is an imposing villa - incorporating the rests of a Medieval fortification - overlooks the valley of the river Arno. In the surroundings, some among the most beautiful and typical rural houses of the area.
The downhill road ends at Carbonile, where you get onto the national road nr 69 (SS 69) towards Florence.

At Nipozzano
Follow the national road nr 69 (SS 69) until the fork to the national road nr 70 (SS 60), which branches off to the right. Leave the former and proceed uphill past Palaie. Do not turn right towards Pelago (you’ll later use this road) and proceed one more kilometre to find the beginning of the narrow road to Nipozzano (here, you must carefully turn left). The landscape around you is suggestive and the road quickly reaches the hamlet of Nipozzano. Park the car or the motorcycle in the square in front of Villa Albizi (now Frescobaldi) and proceed on foot along the lane leading to the church, the castle (panorama !) and the quiet hamlet.
At sunset the view is unforgettable.
Retrace towards the national road and the fork to Pelago..