Carraia

Carraia is a small village in the Metropolitan City of Florence, about four kilometres from Calenzano. It sits in the Valmarina valley, once known for its marshes and streams. The name comes from the old word for carts, a sign of the area’s past trade routes. In the Middle Ages it was home to a large parish church and a hospital run by the Knights of Saint John. By 1833 the village had 375 residents. The parish church of Santa Maria dates back to the early Middle Ages. Its simple stone walls and small bell tower mark the heart of the settlement. The church once served as a spiritual and social centre for the valley. Nearby, the remains of the old hospital recall its role as a place of care. The building’s history ties Carraia to Florence’s wider story. Visitors find a quiet Tuscan village with narrow lanes and old stone houses. The parish church stands at the village crossroads, its door often left open. A short walk leads to the remains of the hospital, now partly grassed over. The valley’s flat fields stretch beyond the houses, framed by gentle hills. The air carries the scent of cypress and earth after rain.