Cutigliano

Cutigliano, a charming medieval village on the Pistoia Apennines, is the capital of the scattered municipality of Abetone Cutigliano.
Even today, the village retains the aristocratic aspect of which it was the protagonist, with buildings dating back to the period of feudalism, including the Towers of Montestuccioli, Cacioli and Cornia, located in strategic areas, with the function of dominating and guarding the town.
Founded in the year one thousand, the period of greatest splendor was with the establishment of the Captaincy of the Mountain, whose office belonged to a particularly valiant knight.
The Captain in charge was forced to change abode every six months, initially he was in San Marcello, then in Castel di Mura, in Lizzano and finally, in 1373, in Cutigliano.
The Palazzo Pretorio or the Palazzo dei Capitani della Montagna, the Church of the Madonna di Piazza, date back to this period, and inside it there is a precious work in glazed terracotta and the Church of San Bartolomeo, which was once the center of bloody battles.

Cutigliano as well as having historical elements is surrounded by natural beauties whose sporting possibilities have made the village one of the most visited of the mountain.
Skiing is certainly the main activity of the area and the slopes of Abetone, Doganaccia and Val di Luce are within easy reach. For lovers of trekking, mountain biking and long walks in the open air, you have the opportunity to have fun thanks to the many dirt roads that depart from the town to cross the surrounding woods that lead to environments of incredible natural value such as the Lake Scaffaiolo, the source of the Sestaione stream, the Corno alle Scale and the Monte Lancino.

BY CAR

• From the North: Take the A1 highway, exit towards Sasso Marconi, continue on the SS 64BIS, exit at Sasso Marconi, cross Casagrande, Ponte della Venturina, Campo Tizzoro, continue on the SS 12 following signs for Cutigliano.
• From the South: Take the A1 highway, follow the direction for Florence, take the A11 highway, exit at Pistoia, continue on the Pistoia junction, exit towards Abetone / Modena, continue on the SS 66, cross Cireglio, continue on the SS 12 following indications for Cutigliano.

ON THE TRAIN

• Pracchia railway station

BY PLANE

• Florence airport
• Pisa airport

The sandstone and the chestnut wood are the elements of this village of noble grace, ancient and sought holiday resort. Cutigliano is located in the pistoiese Apennine mountains, at the foot of the Abetone, in the ski resort area of Doganaccia. It is situated in the green of the woods under the shade of the chestnut trees and beeches and between the limpid waters of the fountains. Squares and paved streets preserve the memory of the government of the captains of the mountain, marked by force on the coats of arms on the palace which harbored them. In the margins of the maquis lived here in the Nineteenth Century a shepherd poetess, Bugelli Beatrice, who wanted to be the voice of nature. Her poetry was spread along the mule tracks, where shine the fruits of the undergrowth. Lived here, even before his stay at Abetone, Giacomo Puccini, host of Villa Magrini. We used to come to Cutigliano for the "comfortable walks among the shady woods de' castagni", wrote in 1887 the Marquis Carega for its readers that were also the first hikers. Here came also a painter, one evening in 1570: forced to stop in the country due to an abundant snowfall that had him seized during the journey home. He paid his hospitality debt by painting the picture hanging behind the high altar in the church of San Bartolomeo. The characters that animate the canvas are men and women of Cutigliano really existed, taken as a model by the artist, the veronese Bastiano Vini.

Discover the other villages on the guide Tuscany - Unique villages to love