CHIANNI

The origin of Chianni is definitely Etruscan, considering the recent discovery of tombs that testify to the period.

The origins of his name are uncertain instead, perhaps was Clanius, an etruscan Latin name, or Clango, which mean a place covered with forests good for hunting.

The village was a medieval castle fought over the Bishop of Volterra and the Republic of Pisa before moving permanently in Florence; here born the preacher Jordan Rivalto (1260-1311) who was beatified in 1838 by Pope Gregory XVI in August 23, 1833.

Among the monuments to visit are the Church of San Donato, the current parish church; in Rivalto, the Santuario della Madonna del Carmine dating from the eighteenth century, the Church of Saints Fabian and Sebastian, and the Oratorio Society of the Holy Cross.

The most important traditional events are represented by the village fair, on the first Tuesday after mid-August, the Festival of wild boar, every second and third weekend of November, one of the oldest in Tuscany; in October Rivalto is destination for lovers of “marrone”, a special kind of chestnut.

Rivalto

Chianni 2 - Rivalto - foto G 720

photo by di Giovanni Cantone

The village of Rivalto, originally a fortress during the High Middle Ages, owes its name to the river Rio Alto that originated nearby.

Notable religious architecture consisting of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine, dating from the eighteenth century, the Church of Sts Fabian and Sebastian and the Oratorio Society of the Holy Cross.

Here was born Giordano from Pisa (1260-1311), Italian priest known as Blessed Jordan Rivalto.

Rivalto is also known for the traditional Festival of Chestnut, the second Sunday in October, organized by a local association.

The “marrone” of Rivalto is a variety of chestnut, produced not in large quantities in the territory, genuineness, with special organoleptic characteristics.

During the festival you can taste local products based on chestnuts such as roasted chestnuts and “ballote” (boiled chestnuts), the typical desserts such as chestnut, wild truffles, the “slice of autumn”, the “red wine bowl”, the “rum and chocolate fantasies” and the “grandmother cream”.

CRESPINA LORENZANA

Crespina

The first appearance of Crespina dates back to August 16, 983 as Crispina, a name probably derived from a Roman name of person (Crispinius) of Etruscan origin.

Its castle was destroyed during the hostilities between Pisa and Florence, of which remains no trace.

Until 2013 Crespina was an independent municipality and from 1 January 2014 is home to the municipal seat of the new town of Crespina Lorenzana.

The beautiful villas of 1700 and 1800 are very famous, also for the historical presence of painters and artists, like John the Baptist Tempesti, Silvestro Lega and Fattori, members of the movement of Macchiaioli; we report Villa Belvedere, Villa Corsini Valdisonzi, Villa Il Poggio, the Villa-museum Carlo Pepi, famous art critic whose rich collection of contemporary art is visitable.

The mild climate and the natural environment have allowed Crespina to become an international center of horticultural, so much so that every year, in September, hold the Festival of Wine and Nursery in the hamlet Cenaia.

Another ancient tradition is represented from breeding owls, symbol of local folklore, once used for hunting larks; to owls is dedicated an important fair, every year on 29 September.

Lorenzana

Lorenzana 1 - Generica Paese 720

The first mentions of Lorenzana, whose name derives from the Latin Laurentius, are from  the tenth century; the village, a castle in medieval and a feud of Lorenzi Florentine earls, is mainly agricultural as well as located in a picturesque and panoramic countryside.

Autonomous municipality since January 1, 2014, it merged with the village of Crespina to form the new municipality of Crespina Lorenzana.

In place Greppioli, thanks to the great naturalist Robert Lawley, was found the first specimen of a species of dolphin today extinct: the Etruridelphis Giulii, so named in honor of the Counts Giuli, vassals of Lorenzana.

Point of interest are the Church of St. Bartholomew and Christopher; the old Palace of the Lorenzi, which was home of Podesteria during the domination of the Florentine; the farm-house of the Counts Giuli and Villa Sforni, with an adjacent church of the Romanesque period.

Among the events we report, in mid-September, the traditional Festival of Grapes and Wine, where you can taste traditional dishes accompanied by local wine.

FAUGLIA

Fauglia is an ancient hilltop village, full of history and traditions, which saw the destruction of his castle in 1433 by Florence during the battles against Pisa.

Afterwards, the old village center, has gradually become as you can see it today, with most of the buildings built since 1600 up to 1800, a period of greater economic prosperity; the surrounding area offers some of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the Pisan hills.

There are many points of interest, such as the Church of San Lorenzo, the town hall and the old church tower; to visit also the underground storage of grain, recently found in Piazza del Mercato.

Fauglia is known for its villas where they stayed nobles, literary man and artists; among these, Villa Trovarsi belonged to the famous actress Marta Abba, who named it in memory of a play by Pirandello dedicated to her. To report, two museums related to well-known artists: Alvaro Marioni, painter and carver, and Giorgio Kiernek, post-Macchiaioli painter who have portrayed that countryside with his paintings.

Among the events: in June, the Festival of soup; in September, “Di-vin Fauglia” (of-wine Fauglia); 1st Tuesday of August and the 3rd Tuesday of October, the peasant Fair.

Kienerk Museum

fauglia MUSEO 720

The birth of the museum, opened in 2009, was made possible by the donation of artworks to the Community of Fauglia, from Giorgio Kienerk’s daughter, Victoria.

Victoria, not only personally rearranged the archive completing the photographic documentation and the literature about the father, but has also contributed to the choice of environment and location of the works.

The Kienerk collection consists of sculptures, reliefs and sculptures in the round, mostly oil paintings, some crayons, numerous drawings, notebooks with ink and pencil sketches, engravings and lithographs; overall it is about one hundred and thirty pieces, as well as notebooks.

The works cover the entire artistic career of Giorgio Kienerk, from early production to maturity, and are testimony to the many interests of the artist, who has dedicated himself to sculpture, painting, graphics, illustration and also applied art.

In the museum is also a cell in which it is reproduced a working corner en plein air, with objects and tools of the artist, (including the stand, the seat, the sunshade, the palette) and old pictures (of the artist and family) on the walls.

LAJATICO

The first settlements in the area of ​​Lajatico go back to the Etruscan-Roman period, but the consolidation of the current village came from the twelfth century around a castle owned by Count Pannocchieschi, a branch of Elci, before being conquered by Pisa and finally from Florence.

The Symbol of the area is the impressive Pietracassia Fortress, built in the Lombard period, one of the most important examples of early medieval architecture in Tuscany; the name is due to a crack which is open on a huge limestone rock that rises from the ridge (“cassa” means split).

Lajatico is famous as the birthplace of the tenor Andrea Bocelli and for the annual concert in July at the Theatre of Silence, attended by the artist along with other international artists.

Worth visiting the church dedicated to the occitan saint San Leonardo of Noblac of the twelfth century. Nearby, Orciatico is famous for chestnuts, which is dedicated to a festival, and for the presence of two windmills built at the end of ‘600 still in good condition. The “mofeta of Borboi” is an area with geothermal phenomena object of international research.

Among other food events: in June, the “Feast of Bruschetta” dedicated to local kitchen and wine, with shows for adults and children, and on April 25 “La Sterza in Festa”.

The Theatre of Silence

Lajatico 2 - Teatro del Silenzio 720

The Theatre of Silence is an amphitheater created by the natural structure of a hill near the village of Lajatico.

The theatre, inaugurated on July 27, 2006, was built by the will of the popular singer Andrea Bocelli which is born in that country.

According to the original idea of the structure, created to be installed and to host just one show a year, it consists of a “stage” of some meter with granite blocks as backgound; the audience, when the theater is not active, is completely disassembled and the stage is transformed into an artificial lake.

From this is originated the definition of Theatre of Silence, that place characterized by hills that, with earthmoving operations, has been created as natural theater.

To the Theatre of Silence, in 2015, was awarded a special mention of “Landscape Award” of the Council of Europe.

MONTECATINI VAL DI CECINA

The history of Montecatini (Castrum Montis Leonis in latin, before the eleventh century), is linked to the Camporciano copper mine, already used in Etruscan period and in 1800 the largest in Europe, remained open until 1907; after closing in 1911, it began the rock salt deposit exploitation by the Belgian company Solvay.

In the charming old town are the Castle Square, dominated by the massive tower Belforti (sec. XI), which was the venue of the Captains of Volterra and Florence before moving to the French barons de Rochefort; two holes work as telescope to the “Mastio of Volterra” and the “Fortress Sillana”.

On the same square facing the church of San Biagio and the fourteenth-century Praetorian Palace, venue of the Center of Documentation, and part of a net that includes the mining site of Caporciano and the Mining Museum.

Worth to visit some medieval villages like Querceto, were every summer there is an international piano festival; Sassa, perched on a hill from which you can admire a beautiful panorama; Miemo, known for wild boar, roe deer and mouflon breeding.

Among the food and wine events: in May, “The flavors of the valley” and the “September of Montecatini”.

The Mining Museum

Montecatini val di cecina museo miniere 720

The history of Montecatini is linked to the ancient copper mines of Camporciano, remained active until 1907, of which they remain ruins near the village.

The Etruscans were the first to exploit the plentiful natural resources of this area, using the precious ore to forge tools and decorative ornaments.

To remember these important historical events, it was made a park museum of industrial archeology, in the past mining area and in what remains of the buildings.

Visits allows to appreciate the many riches of these places: history, natural beauty and the testimony of the interaction between man and territory.

The complex of mine tells the story of men, their industriousness and resourcefulness that often turned them from workers to craftsmen and real artists.

The museum offers: guided tours for the whole of the mine and the Pozzo Alfredo from where you went down to over 300 meters deep for the extraction of copper; educational and entertainment activities for children, such as “The day of the miner” to learn about the mine playing.

MONTESCUDAIO

Montescudaio, a few kilometers from the coast, is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

Originally venue of a Benedictine monastery, in the Middle Ages the town was formed by a castle owned by the family of Gherardesca, very important for its strategic position.

Along the “path of memory” are the palaces of noble families, such as Marchionneschi, the Ridolfi and Guerrini, the Church of SS. Annunziata, until you reach the Tower of Guardiola and the Castle Square with the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a marvelous panoramic view.

Another route along the Via dei Pellegrini, the area of ​​the ancient Abbey, the natural oasis of Scornabecchi and the medieval water sources.

Montescudaio gives its name, from 1977, to two types of DOC wine: red made from Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Malvasia and other varieties; white-based Trebbiano, Malvasia and Vermentino also produced as dry, semi-dry or sweet Vin Santo.

Since 1968 it takes place the Wine Festival, first weekend of October.

Montescudaio is part of the National Association of Wine Cities, and also City of Bread, the classic Tuscan one, baked in the wood oven.

Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta

montescudaio-abbazia 720

Mentioned in 1092 and also attested in the fourteenth century, in 1416 the church of Sant’Andrea in Castle inherited the title of the removed female monastery dedicated to the Virgin.

Until 1837 the church of Montescudaio maintained a double title: it was the parish church of Sant’Andrea and, simultaneously, the Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta.

The earthquake in 1846 destroyed the upper part of the country and also the church, which was rebuilt from 1854 to 1857 and dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta.

Wider than previous one, and with a Latin cross plan ending with apse, his facade facing west, preceded by a large staircase; inside, you will find an eighteenth century marble statue, a painting of St. Francis of Paola by an unknown artist, and a painting of the Annunciation, attributed to the Venetian school of the seventeenth century.

MONTEVERDI MARITTIMO

The history of Monteverdi began in 754 with the founding of the Abbey of St. Peter in Palazzolo by benedictine monks led by Lombard St. Walfredo, whose remains are preserved in the Oratory of the Blessed Sacrament chapel built in 1751.

Subject from Florence and the lordship of Piombino, submitted by Florentines in 1472 during the conquest of Volterra, the village was invaded up to 1814 by the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, and then, in 1815, returning to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Inside the village, of medieval origin, the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle preserves in some parts the original structure, especially a black crucifix sculpted in ‘600 by Cosimo Daddi.

Monteverdi is located a few kilometers from the Natural Reserve of Monterufoli-Caselli, a destination for trekking and cycling lovers, thanks to the paths through Mediterranean woods and streams.

Worth visiting the ancient village of Canneto, surrounded by walls.

Among the events, every May 1, the traditional festival of Maggerini, which draws its origins from pagan rites celebrated to ensure the prosperity of the harvest.

Benedictine monastery of St. Peter in Palazzuolo

monteverdi2

The foundation of the Benedictine monastery dates back to 754 and is linked to the figure of the noble Lombard son of the gastaldo of Pisa Ratgauso Ratchausi, Wilfrido (San Walfredo), considered the founder of the Gherardesca.

It was built on the site of Palazzuolo where he was a Roman villa and a temple of the goddess Bellona; it is uncertain if the Roman settlement was followed by a Lombard settlement, as the name Palatiolum would imply; but the marble frame with Lombard node bas-relief that was found here, almost certainly belonged to the St. Peter monastery.

In the eleventh century the monastery acquired more importance: in 1179 it was moved to its current site in Poggio Badia where you can still see the ruins; in 1298 became Vallombrosan, later in 1561 was abandoned, when it requested the transfer of the monks inside the castle of Monteverdi, provided that it maintained the title of San Pietro.

The interior consisted of a single big nave ending in a single apse, the front and the roof have disappeared, while remaining parts of the left side and the transept; the wall surface is in blocks of limestone, perfectly cut and committed, that on the right side alternate two-color with bands of brick.

(cover photo by Giovanni Cantone)

MONTOPOLI VAL D’ARNO

Defined by Boccaccio “outstanding castle” because of the powerful fortifications, Montopoli was contested between Pisa and Florence until the famous Battle of San Romano represented by Paolo Uccello in the three paintings today preserved in the Uffizi, Louvre and National Gallery.

In later centuries, the village grew up, enriching with churches and artwork such as the Oratory of San Sebastiano, the church of the “Madonna del Soccorso”, the Conservatory of Santa Marta; the Arch and the Tower of Castruccio remained to symbolize the past.

In the Varramista estate is located Villa Capponi Piaggio, owned by the namesake family for its proximity to the Piaggio factory.

Montopoli boasts the ancient tradition of pottery; in the sixteenth century they operated kilnsmen and potters, while in the nineteenth century the presence of Dante Milani trained a generation of skilled craftsmen expert in the production of Renaissance-style furniture and chandeliers with terracotta tiles.

The second Sunday of September, groups of flag-wavers and musicians parade through the streets announcing the archery challenge, medieval reconstruction in which representatives of the two neighborhoods compete with arrows.

In early March, is then celebrated food and wine in the Gustopolis festival, and in July, the good music with Montopoli Jazz festival.

Montopoli Castle

Montopoli 2 - resti castello 720

Historical documents tell about the castle of Montopoli in 1017 for the first time. It was of great strategic importance for most of the Middle Ages; he remained under the jurisdiction of the bishop of Lucca until 1162, when it was assigned by the Emperor Frederick of Swabia to the “faithful” ghibelline Pisa.

The main theme for the subsequent history of the castle will be the involvement in the never quelled conflict between Pisa and Florence; after the Spanish invasions in Italy in the ‘500, Montopoli was faced with new and terrible struggle against fearsome plague epidemics and famines that disturbed the life of the castle also in ‘600.

In the second half of ‘700, with the advent of Lorraine in Grand Duchy of Tuscany, agriculture, industry and commerce restarted; Montopoli after facing the invasion of Napoleon’s troops, which caused disasters but also favored the propagation of those new ideas that would characterize the recent history, followed the luck of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and Italian Risorgimento.

The agricultural tradition is still important, and the old mansions of the Castle are transformed and modernized to serve as residence and office for landowners and professionals.

ORCIANO PISANO

Orciano origins, etymologically “Ursio ground”, medieval castle already documented in the eighth century, remains uncertain; in the most accepted opinion it has arisen as a feud due to a family of Lombard origin.

It is assumed that Orciano has followed the luck of the other villages of the Pisan Hills, falling under the dominion of Florence in the ‘400, with the final defeat of Pisa, and then conformed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany regime.

To visit the fifteenth-century Church of San Michele, within which is a copy of the hagiography canvas of Raphael’s St. Michael the Archangel.

The territory is characterized by clay hills covered with layers of tuff with some shrubbery, it is full of fossilized remains of marine invertebrates and vertebrates that lived millions of years ago during the Pliocene, when half of Tuscany was submerged by the sea waters. Orciano is probably the most important place in Tuscany from a paleontological point of view, particularly for the remains of vertebrates including bony fishes, cartilaginous fishes such as chelonians sharks, carnivores such as seals and cetaceans such as dolphins and whales.

San Michele Church

Orciano-2---Prima-possibilita

The church was rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake of 1846 that devastated the country and the whole area of the lower hills of Pisa.

The previous building dated back to the early eighteenth century, as documented the beautiful polychrome marble altar that we can see today; however, a chapel of Saint Michael existed since at least the fifteenth century.

The front and interior of the present church are in late neoclassical style with transept and dome supported by four columns.

On the walls are some hagiographic paintings: among these, we note a copy of “San Michele Arcangelo” by Raphael.

(cover photo by Giovanni Cantone)

 

PALAIA

Of Etruscan origin, Palaia has experienced a period of prosperity in the thirteenth century, when they built the church of San Martino, singular brick building where take place an annual international festival of choirs, and the Church of St. Andrew, which preserves precious artworks.

“Peggio Palaia” (worse Palaia) is a famous Tuscan saying, used to mean something like “from bad to worse”; It seems to date back to 1362 when the Florentines decided to conquer this and other fortified places, being defeated and forced to escape quickly, so that the captain told his superiors: “… it was worse in Palaia”.

Of particular interest also villages like Montefoscoli and San Gervasio, venues of Rural Life Museums, in which are exposed equipment, tools and old tractors; Colleoli and Villa Saletta, where movies were filmed by important Italian directors such as the Taviani brothers and Paolo Virzì; Toiano, “ghost town” reported to the FAI (Italian Environmental Fund) as among world places to save.

Among the events there are the Festival of Folk Theatre in Villa Saletta, in late June; the Medieval Festival of Palaia, the third Sunday of September; Forcoli in May, the National Competition Miss & Mister Fat Chubby, and in October the Fair of the Truffle and Porcini Mushroom.

The Rock

Palaia 2 - La Rocca720

On the rock of Palaia was the quarterdeck of the old castle, built between the X and XIII century by an important family from Lucca.

It is known about the fortress until the seventeenth century: in 1628 the tower began to slowing down; in 1658 they put the equipments at auction; Therefore it is probable that the date of the collapse was between these two dates.

Around 1750 John Targioni Tozzetti, an important Italian naturalist, he described inspired by a fresco located over the main door of the church, where he was represented the image of St. Martin giving his cloak to the poor; The tower was square with three floors, and on the fourth were the bells.

Today from the fortress we can enjoy, on a clear day, a beautiful panorama that sweeps from the Florence area (beyond the parish church of Palaia and the hill of San Miniato), to Volterra, following along all the high Valdera until Pisa and the coastal area.

The Mount Pisano and the Apuan Alps are also clearly visible, and of course the town of Palaia, which from the Pieve go under the hill up to Montaione.