The quaint town of Scarperia in Tuscany is found approximately 30 kilometers from Florence's city center and an interesting place to visit. Many years ago Scarperia was once an important center for trade due to its strategic location.
The most famous and picturesque monument in Scarperia is the antique Palace dei Vicari with origins dating back to the 1300's. The original palace was built around an old tower
The palace was lived in by many different church vicars as is shown in the colorful façade decorated with their various coats of arms giving testimony to those who resided there.
The appearance of Palazzo dei Vicari changed somewhat after the damage it underwent by the devastating earthquake of 1542 and then another in 1611.
Because earthquakes in this area were not uncommon, two further earthquakes in 1929 and again in 1960 forced other restorations changing again the buildings original external appearance.
The inside of Palazzo dei Vicari includes frescoes like that of the Madonna with Child and Saints (1554).
In Scarperia's main piazza one can also visit the Propositura, founded in 1326 and dedicated to Saint Jacob and Saint Phillip, and the Oratorio della Madonna also dating back to the early1300's , where the new Vicars took their oath of obedience.
Scarperia is also well noted for the production of cutlery, especially knives, an industry dating back to the 15th century. A visit to the Museum of Knives gives testimony to the work by artisan knife makers with a display of an array of different kinds of knives.
The museum also offers its visitors the possibility to assemble a knife in order to better understand and appreciate its complexity.
If you are a lover of the outdoors, the area around Scarperia offers a variety of activities like fishing, golf, and spectator racing at the Mugello race track.
Many colorful festivals also take place year round including the popular "Diotto" held every September, famous for the re-enactment of the founding of Scarperia, and the "Infiorata", held on the last Sunday of May when colorful flowers decorate the entire town for festivities.