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The municipality of Pontassieve lies on the shores of the river Arno, east of
Florence. Its urban development took place on the valley floor, leaving the
landscape of the surrounding hills untouched.
The historical centre preserves the ruins of a high circular defence wall, built
in the second half of the 14th century by the Florentine Republic, the
Sansoni-Trombetta palace, the older original suburb where, a pleasant pedestrian
area links the castle to the imposing bridge over the river Sieve. Opposite, on
the other bank of the river Arno, is the Abbey of Rosano.
The other communities are:
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Sieci is the first village you
meet coming from Florence: its centre is only 12 km from here, but the hills
prevented that the urban development of Florence could extend eastwards. The
most relevant monument is the Pieve di Remole, along the shore of the river
Arno. Sieci, with its own railway station, represents the gateway to the
valley of the Fosso di Sieci and to the hills of Montefiesole.
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Molino del Piano is a charming
hamlet lying in a hollow surrounded by hills, in the vicinity of the castle of
Torre a Decima. Just upriver is the village of Doccia.
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Santa Brigida lies on the
slope of the high hill where the
Sanctuary of the "Madonna del
Sasso", is located, and the door to the
Natural Protected Area.
Just below in the valley, the Romanesque Pieve di Lubaco and the castle of
Trebbio.
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Montebonello spreads out
across the river Sieve opposite the village of Rufina, sharing with it several
facilities, among which the railway station. Formally belonging to the
municipality of Pontassieve, Colognole is much closer to Rufina and, like
Montebonello, gravitates on the latter.
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Acone, a small quaint village
with an excellent view, lies on the sides of
Monte Giovi.
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