From Ravenna to Florence and back with Dante’s Train

The day begins visiting Bertinoro, “Town of Hospitality” even mentioned in the 14th canto of the Purgatorio to evoke the ideal of chivalrous living. The ride heads to the small town of Polenta. Guido da Polenta was one of Dante’s main patrons, as well as the father of Francesca da Rimini, mentioned by Dante in the famous episode of the lovers Paolo and Francesca. The tour then goes uphill towards the Apennines, where it is possible to stop in the tiny village of Civorio, whose centre revolves around a renowned local trattoria. The ride continues towards Bagno di Romagna, the overnight stay will be in a beautiful spa hotel, a worthy conclusion to this difficult day.

Distance: 68 km.

The tour goes deeper and deeper inside the Tuscan-Romagna Appennine “selva oscura” [dark forest] characterised by dense forests and hidden hermitages. The first stage is the Sacro Eremo of Camaldoli, an ancient monastery still inhabited by monks. A long descent leads to Pratovecchio.Those who still have energy can climb for 5km to the Abbey of Romena built in 1152 and the nearby castle that hosted Dante in his first years of exile. Another short diversion leads to Porciano Castle, where Dante was a guest of the Guidi family. During his stay he wrote three of his famous Latin epistles. The route continues on to Poppi, a must-see on a route through Dante’s places, dominated by the Castle of the Guidi counts, near which the famous battle of Campaldino took place. Dante fought in this battle on the Guelph side and it is still remembered by the ‘Column of Dante’, which can be seen along the way. 

Distance 56 km.

The route heads towards Dante’s birthplace, Florence, stopping at Vallombrosa Abbey, whose cloister contains a medal depicting Dante and Beatrice. From here, a pleasant descent leads to the plain area between Florence, Prato and Pistoia “Piana Fiorentina”, then crosses Pontassieve and finally reaches Dante’s hometown, where a lot of places recall Dante’s life.

Distance 70 km

After visiting the birthplace of Dante thanks to the Dante Pass, we leave Florence returning to Ravenna with the Dante Train that will stop’ along the Lamone valley touching countries like Ronta, a small village surrounded by forests that were inspired to Dante, Marradi, Brisighella that are worth a visit, before returning to Ravenna.