Castel San Niccolo is 44 kilometers far from Arezzo, and territory of Castel San Niccolò in the Valdarno Casentinese extends over an area of 82,99 square kilometres, on the north eastern slopes of the ridge of Pratomagno, and has a population of 2.855 inhabitants. It rises 380 metres above the sea level. A town of old stone villages at the foot of Pratomagno, originates from the 11th century, and it was one of the most fortified fortresses owned by the Counts Guidi in the Casentino.

Castel San Niccolò was given up spontaneously to Firenze and was made capital of a vast Podesta tenure, called della Montagna Fiorentina.

In 1440 the castle was protagonist of a long resistance to the state of siege by the troops of Niccolò Piccinino. After its decline, the inferior Borgo di Vado acquired more importance and was renamed Strada, a town name which clearly indicates its origins, and that its development was due to its position on an important thoroughfare. Strada Casentino, the main town is an ancient suburb that encircled the castle.The principal square is occupied of a beautiful loggia where every year in autumn there is an exhibition where craftsman shows their works.

The area of the Casentino offers the visitor an uncontaminated and protected nature thanks to the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, which is plotted with buildings and villages. The location of the Casentino, in the north-east part of Tuscany, made it a contended area during the wars between Florence and Arezzo. From this period there are still many fascinating medieval fortresses in the wild landscape. The area features some of the most important and most beautiful sanctuaries in Europe which are still the destination for many pilgrims and tourists. It is peripheral location and mystical beauty have made the Casentino the idea place for prayer in mountains covered with forests,where clear fresh waters have been flowing into the Arno for the centuries.

The beauty of the forests was the reason why the monks and other religious people chose this area in order to find the right spirituality. Today the Casentino offers beautiful natural sites and a historical heritage which have been protected and enhanced.

Both the delicacies and the handicraft show the relationship between man and nature. The hands of the artisans which have preserved the techniques and the skill mainly work the wood, making furniture, items and tools. But there are also artisans working the stone, making the famous Casentino cloth and making patterns on the fabrics with the old rust technique. The delicacies that you can taste in the restaurants in the Casentino are prepared with products from the forests, such as chestnuts, truffle and wild meat. Also try the excellent home-made pasta, the local cheeses and the cold cuts. The honey production dates back to ancient times and features different varieties, thickness, according to the flower chosen by the bees and the place of production. The meat in the Casentino is excellent thanks to the closeness of the areas where the cows breed freely. The meat is tender, low in cholesterol and rich in protein, which makes it very healthy.

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• Comune di Castel San Niccolo - Arezzo