Ancient Village of Montalto

Here, along the course of the middle and upper Fantella stream, a tributary of the Rabbi, in the second half of the 1st millennium a number of populations found shelter from pillage and barbarian destruction. In the 15th century, now under the influence of Florence, it became a free municipality and was able to appoint a potestà and councilors. The parishes in this area were under the jurisdiction of Sant’Ellero. Old Montalto (756 m) still retains well defined the ancient nucleus dominated by the tower (805 m) and the remains of the male of the castle, already recorded in 1350 and subject to the counts Guidi of Romena then in 1421 under Florence. It partially collapsed in the earthquake of 1589 and was then abandoned. Beyond the castle are some settlements such as Casercie (Case Arse) and Cortina Vecchia.

How to get there:
From the Rabbi provincial road 3, once in Premilcuore, cross the first bridge over the river, follow the road that runs along it until the fork to Montalto (10 km), on the left.