Montefiesole: history and nature

A village between history and legend, where Dante and Shelley found inspiration

A blast from the past

Montefiesole, an enchanting village located on the Tuscan hills between Florence and the Casentino, boasts a rich and fascinating history that has its roots in remote times. Its name probably derives from the Latin “Mons Fesulanus”, testifying to its strategic position between Florence and Fiesole.

The first evidence of settlements in the area dates back to the Etruscan and Roman times, but it was during the Middle Ages that Montefiesole acquired importance as a control point along the communication routes between the main Tuscan cities. The village develops around the ancient Parish Church of San Martino, mentioned in documents since the 11th century.

The Passigli and Tassinaia family

The testimony

The most authentic history of Tassinaia was handed down to us directly by the Passigli, a family that owned the entire village of Tassinaia from the early twentieth century. Through the stories of a direct descendant, we have received precious testimonies that connect this place to two great poets of world history.

Dante Alighieri in Tassinaia

According to the tradition handed down by the Passigli family:

"Dante Alighieri, returning from the Battle of Campaldino (1289), wrote before arriving in Florence that he had 'rested in those of Tassinara'."

(Testimony of the Passigli family)

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The Battle of Campaldino, fought on 11 June 1289, saw Florence defeat Arezzo and marked an important moment in the life of the Supreme Poet, who took part in the battle as a mounted feditor. His passage through Tassinara (today's Tassinaia) therefore takes on a particular meaning, representing a moment of reflection after the war experience.

This episode inextricably links Montefiesole to the Divine Comedy and to the figure of Dante, adding an important piece to the understanding of the places that inspired the poet during his exile from Florence.

Percy Bysshe Shelley in Tassinaia

In addition to Dante, another great poet found inspiration in the panoramas of Montefiesole, as the Passiglis tell us:

"The romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley composed some of his works while looking at the horizon from Tassinaia."

(Testimony of the Passigli family)

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Shelley, one of the greatest exponents of English Romanticism, lived in Italy from 1818 to 1822. During his Tuscan stay, he was fascinated by the hilly landscapes and evocative atmospheres of the Florentine countryside. The view from the top of Tassinaia, with its breathtaking panoramas, may have inspired some of his most famous verses.

The Passigli family has preserved not only the places but also the memory of these important passages, passing down from generation to generation the stories that make Tassinaia a unique place in the Tuscan cultural panorama.

The Territory Today

Today Montefiesole retains the charm of past centuries intact. Visitors can walk the same paths that inspired Dante and Shelley, admire the views that have fascinated poets and travellers, and discover a corner of Tuscany where history blends with legend.

Thanks to the care of the Passigli family and other custodians of the territory, Tassinaia keeps alive the traditions and memories that make it a special place, a bridge between past and present.