Pratovecchio Stia

Pratovecchio Stia, home to the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, stands near the source of the Arno river. A land of castles, Romanesque churches, Della Robbia terracottas, and ancient forests, it preserves important medieval landmarks such as the Torre di Porciano, Castello di Romena—mentioned by Dante—and the Palagio Fiorentino, now a venue for contemporary art.
Its architecture reflects a deep spiritual history, seen in the Monastero di San Giovanni Evangelista and the Propositura del SS. Nome di Gesù. Nearby, the Pieve di San Pietro a Romena is among the finest examples of Casentino Romanesque style.
Stia’s center is marked by Piazza Tanucci and the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, which houses works by Bicci di Lorenzo and Andrea della Robbia, also featured in the Santuario di Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The historic Lanificio di Stia, now the Wool Art Museum, celebrates the iconic Panno Casentino. Other notable sites include the Molin di Bucchio, the first Arno mill, and Lago degli Idoli, an ancient Etruscan sanctuary. Local specialties include Abbucciato Aretino cheese, honey, and Slow Food-certified Casentino prosciutto.