In this section you will find all the Tourist news on the Territory
around Montecatini, comprising the localities like Pistoia, Collodi,
Serravalle Pistoiese and many others.
MONTECATINI TERME - Art Nouveau and
The Spa
A town of health and well being, Montecatini has always been renowned for
the quality of its thermal waters.
The spas are, therefore, an unforgettable stop in getting to know the city.
In addition to the possibility of personally experiencing the benefits of
the waters and the mud baths, the architectural complex offers an important
and striking cross-section of the Art Nouveau style that characterises Montecatini
Terme.
Various spas may be found along the Art Nouveau itinerary: Grocco, Tamerici,
the nineteenth-century Terme Torretta and the Excelsior establishment.
However, Tettuccio stands out of all the thermal resorts as the genuine
and characteristic symbol of the town, built in the grand-ducal era and
renovated in 1925 by the architect Giovannozzi, who aspired to make it a
true spa citadel surrounded by greenery.
A stroll along Viale Verdi and in the adjacent streets unveils other Art
Nouveau jewels: the portico of the Caffè Gambrinus with its shops
and art galleries, the City Hall built from the old grand-ducal stables;
the Cinema Excelsior, the Kursaal and the Teatro Politeama built in 1926.
PISTOIAN APENNINES
Countless discoveries in our white snowy mountains:
Apart from Abetone, the most important winter sport resort in Tuscany, the
skiing district of the Pistoian Apennines includes the ski slopes of Pian
Novello, from where you can reach Monte Poggione and Doganaccia. The latter
is connected by cable car with the town of Cutigliano, which is downhill,
and with the top of Croce Arcana, at the start of the ski slopes.
Events of national and international importance are held on the white ski
circuit in the Pistoian Apennines, for example the European Cup, Formina
Cup, Master, Carvin Cup and Pinocchio on Skis. This last event is truly
a world championship for young people aged between 8 and 15 years old.
CITY OF PISTOIA
The city's interesting monuments, built mainly between the twelfth and thirteenth
centuries during the medieval commune period, characterise the charming
historic centre, which is an ideal starting point for a city itinerary.
In Duomo Square, the city's institutional, religious and economic centre,
you can find the Cathedral dedicated to San Zeno, the octagonal marble baptistery,
the Bishops' Palace, the City Hall and the Magisterial Palace.
The convent of San Domenico and the Renaissance building of the Ceppo Hospital,
which is famous for its polychrome friezes and ceramic decorations, are
of considerable interest.
To the northwest of the city, it is possible to visit the Church of Saint
Andrea, where Giovanni Pisano's famous pulpit can be found, and the Gothic
building of Saint Francis, noted for the frescoes attributed to the school
of Giotto. In the hills just outside the city, you can continue your itinerary
with a visit to the Zoological Garden.
PISTOIAN MOUNTAINS
San Marcello Pistoiese
Numerous excursions can be made from San Marcello, over ancient roads and
countless paths to discover the enchanting scenery where you can rediscover
the fragrances, flavours and sounds of nature. In addition to the itineraries
traced through the age-old Teso forest, you can reach truly unusual destinations,
such as the narrow suspension bridge of Mammiano, which is a long footbridge
that connects the two banks of the Lima Stream. It was constructed in 1922
for the workers of the Società Metallurgica in Mammiano. Don't forget
to visit the astronomical observatory that offers an opportunity to study
the starry sky on clear summer nights.
Gavinana
A renowned area for summer stays, which, even today, preserves the structure
of a medieval village with its winding streets climbing to the main square
and the ancient rustic stonework houses. In the parish of Santa Maria Assunta,
built in the twelfth century, you can find two valuable sixteenth-century
works in glazed terracotta by Benedetto Buglioli and a precious nineteenth-century
organ by Cesare and Luigi Tronci, an instrument that belongs to the prestigious
Pistoian musical tradition, alongside other historic organs.
Cutigliano
On a spur close to Mount Cuccola, surrounded by dense forests, stands Cutigliano,
a medieval village that preserves traces of its past almost intact even
today. The town, which is characterised by narrow streets flanked by ancient
palaces and monuments, is a prestigious location for summer holidays that
completes its tourist offer with Doganaccia ski resort on the Apennine ridge.
Piteglio
Piteglio lies between the Torbecchia and Lisiena Valleys, overlooking the
Val di Lima, where the track of the ancient and important trans-Apennine
road ran, linking Pistoia to Garfagnana. There are two important churches
in the small village: the Parish of Santissima Annunziata, which tradition
says was founded by Matilda of Canossa, and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
An ancient cult linked to a relic of the Madonna's holy milk was once celebrated
here. Legend has it that a crusader brought the precious liquid, which is
still kept in the chapel of the Madonna del Latte inside a large seventeenth
century altar, from the Holy Land.
Popiglio The town of Popiglio was an ancient fief of the Guidi counts from around
1000 and today its history is amply proven by the richness of its artistic
heritage. Significant traces of its past can be seen in the towers and ruins
of the medieval castle, in the architectural structure of the inhabited
centre and especially in the Parish of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the most
important holy monuments in the Pistoian mountains. Four breathtaking itineraries
leave from the Parish, following the paths of ancient rogations, one of
which descends towards the Lima Stream and leads to the single arched medieval
bridge known as Castruccio, an enchanted place surrounded by greenery, almost
beyond time.
Calamecca
Time has transformed and enlarged the ancient village, though it still preserves
the traces of the thirteenth-century castle that was rebuilt after 1182.
Traces of its sixteenth-century past can be seen in the Parish church dedicated
to Saint Miniato and in some noble palaces. Recollections of castles can
also be discovered in some nearby localities, for example in Lanciale that
still preserves the typical fortress plan, and Crespole, a castle that became
the privileged residence of noble families under the Medici rule.
Serra Pistoiese
Visiting this ancient village one is struck immediately by the characteristic
urban structure that unfolds along the mountain ridge, with a road that
unites the two ancient access gates that can still be seen in the ancient
wall. Of particular interest is the site where the Parish of Furfalo was
built and which is one of the oldest in the Pistoian territory; its ruins
are still visible in a wood between the town of Serra and the Fievole Valley,
which is a particularly sacred area for the mountain's inhabitants
Marliana
In the Middle Ages, Marliana, Montagnana, Momigno, Casore del Monte and
Serra constituted a group of fortified castles in a territory that reached
from the plains to the Apennine Mountains. Marliana overlooks the hill between
the Vincio and Fievole river valleys, and is surrounded by thick chestnut
groves. The built-up area retains its evocative urban plan sheltered around
the church of San Niccolò.
Serravalle Pistoiese
Halfway between Pistoia and Montecatini Terme, along the path that was once
crossed by Via Cassia, Serravalle Pistoiese dominates the valley with its
two towers hewn from the hill's summit, which gives it its characteristic
profile. Serravalle is undoubtedly worth a visit to admire the ruins of
the castle from close up and enjoy the 360-degree panoramic view from the
tower's summit near the "Rocca Nuova", which can be reached by
an iron stairway. The municipality of Serravalle stretches along the eastern
side of Montalbano, over an area with a particularly interesting landscape,
characterised by great olive groves. Pleasant excursions can be made to
Casalguidi, a small centre renowned for its hand embroidery, and to Minacciano
and Castellina, ancient villages of medieval origins.
Sambuca Pistoiese
The municipality of Sambuca, on the border between Tuscany and Emilia, is
a meeting point for the two territories that live side by side with their
culture and traditions on this part of the mountains of Pistoia. Following
the paths on this side of the mountains means discovering an illustrious
past and surrounding yourself with countryside of rare beauty. The town
is the same as it was two centuries ago, with its houses lined above the
terraced gardens, facing south towards the small square leading to the church
and the ruins of an ancient stronghold above.
COLLODI
Not far from Pescia is Collodi, a locality that was contested by Lucca and
Pistoia in the Middle Ages. The built-up area is made up of a centre of
ancient sheltered houses behind the great Villa Garzoni. Today Collodi is
known for the Monumental Park dedicated to Pinocchio, where you can find
Toyland, the Words and Figures Workshop and the splendid Gambero Rosso tavern,
which was designed by the architect Michelacci, as well as the garden of
Villa Garzoni, next to the villa, with its paths, flights of steps, statues,
jets of water and circular ponds.
