—Inspired: the Valdarno protected area
The Balze
the creativity of nature
Between Arezzo and Florence, in the heart of Tuscany, incredible geological formations are hidden in the enchanting Valdarno area: a true natural wonder waiting to be explored.
Historical outline of the area
— Explore: routes and points of interest
From the Arno to Pratomagno
experiences and discoveries
Nature routes
Panoramic viewpoints can be reached by car and trails can be followed on foot, horseback or mountain bike.
Inside Balze
Springs, forests, hills, open fields and streams: diverse environments, ideal for numerous plant and animal species.
Stories and tales
A fantastic landscape of spires, towers and grandiose amphitheatres: the Balze have fascinated and inspired artists and writers over the centuries, including the famous Leonardo da Vinci.
—Plan you trip: choose Valdarno
Tuscany
the trip starts from here
—Curiosity
Leonardo’s insights
Leonardo da Vinci, observing the Balze del Valdarno, understood the processes of erosion and sedimentation well in advance of modern theories. He described the Balze (crags) in detail, noting how the valley of Valdarno di Sopra received sediments carried by turbid waters and how rivers carved them deeply.
This observation is an example of Leonardo’s incredible acumen and ability to understand complex natural phenomena: it can be found in folio number 9 of the Leicester Codex (also known as the Hammer Codex).
