Bibbiena

Bibbiena, Tuscany, Italy

This picturesque town is situated in a beautiful position on a hill, with a view on the plain of the Archiano stream, a tributary of the Arno river, and is the main center in the area called Casentino, comprised between the Falterona mountain and the Arezzo plain.

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Info

Altitude: 425 m a.s.l -- Population: about 11,000 inhabitants -- Zip/postal code: 52011 -- Phone Area Code: 0575 -- Patron Saint: Sant'Ippolito celebrated on August 13 -- Frazioni & Localities: Banzena, Bibbiena Stazione, Campi, Farneta, Marciano, Partina, Pian del Ponte, Santa Maria del Sasso, Serravalle, Soci, Terrossola

History

The area was already inhabited in the Etruscan period, then belonged from the 10th century A.D. to the bishops of Arezzo. In 1289, after the battle of Campaldino, it was conquered by the Florentines. Its economy was above all agricultural: cereals, wine, oil and vegetables. In the 19th century there was a remarkable development of wool textiles and woodcraft.

What to see:

The Renaissance church of San Lorenzo, with inside two stained-glass terracotta by Andrea della Robbia.
The Oratorio of San Francesco, built in 1580, with the inside in a beautiful rococò style of the late 17th century.
The Palazzo Dovizi, a fine example of Renaissance rustic architecture
the Chapel of Saints Ippolito and Donato, once included in the castle called Rocca dei Tarlati, of which only two towers are extant, with inside a fine painting representing the Virgin with Angels, a rare work by Arcangelo di Cola from Camerino
in the nearby commune of Poppi, the Camaldoli Abbey, an ancient monastery complex founded in 1012, amid century-old firtrees, a favorit destination for day-trips and art lovers