Peccioli

As soon as you arrive, the town stands out against the backdrop of the hills with the unmistakable bell tower, designed by architect Bellincioni, of the 11th-century Pieve di San Verano, which houses valuable works of the Pisan school.

In Piazza del Popolo is the Palazzo Pretorio on whose facade stand the coats of arms of the podestà. The palace, now the Palazzo Pretorio Museum, houses three icon collections: the F. Bigazzi, the Belvedere Spa Collection of Wooden and Bronze Icons and the Collection of Bronze Icons - Donation Giuseppe and Paola Berger; as well as the Collection of Engravings and Lithographs - Donation Vito Merlini.

The Peccioli Museum Complex, managed by the Fondazione Peccioliper, consists of the Archaeological Museum, with findings from the Etruscan Sanctuary of Ortaglia and the archaeological site of Santa Mustiola, the Bell Tower and the Museum of Sacred Art. 

Also worth seeing is the Church of the Madonna del Carmine, built of bricks and completely restored in the 19th century following damage caused by a terrible earthquake that devastated the Valdera area. 

The splendid landscape of the municipal area is characterized by hill ridges covered with vineyards and olive groves, dotted with small hamlets, among which we recommend the former castle and the ancient Church of Santa Maria Assunta di Fabbrica, Libbiano with its astronomical observatory, and finally Legoli, which preserves Benozzo Gozzoli's tabernacle inside the Chapel of Santa Caterina.

For several years, Peccioli has become a place of excellence for contemporary art: there are more than 70 installations, mostly large in size, scattered throughout the area under the direction of the MACCA, Museo D'Arte Contemporanea a Cielo Aperto (Open-air Museum of Contemporary Art). In Peccioli, for example, you can walk along a colorful walkway wrapped in a sinuous ribbon thanks to Patrick Tuttofuoco's installation Endless Sunset, or admire a wall dotted with photos depicting eyes: this is artist Vittorio Corsini's work entitled Lo sguardo di Peccioli.

Contemporary art enthusiasts can continue their journey in the hamlet of Ghizzano: in the village, in fact, there are permanent works created by Alicja Kwade and Patrick Tuttofuoco; while the facades of the houses bear the signature of English artist David Tremlett.

The Pisa Area is a treasure trove of wine and food of inestimable value. The Colline Pisane Wine Route winds through the vineyards of Terricciola, a historic village of Etruscan origin. The trail includes the Valdera and Valdarno Inferiore, up to the Val di Cecina. In addition to wine, other specialties are on offer such as extra virgin olive oil, truffles and pecorino.

Continuing onwards, we come to Lajatico, the birthplace of Andrea Bocelli. Every year internation artists are invited to perform on Theatre of Silence’s breathtaking stage.

The small hamlet of Orciatico is famous for its chestnuts and windmills, which are still in good condition despite being built at the end of the 17^th century.

Finally, the so-called Capannoli castle is well worth a visit, nestled on top of the hill where the fortress once stood. Have a look around the Villa Baciocchi and wander through the botanical park, which boasts a collection of over 160 exotic plants, some of which are centuries old.

Among Peccioli's main events is the 11 Lune theater festival held every July at the Fonte Mazzola Amphitheater: a structure built with eco-friendly materials according to the most advanced green building techniques. The event has hosted important figures from the world of entertainment, such as Renzo Arbore, Gino Paoli, Danilo Rea, Fiorella Mannoia and Gabriele Lavia. 

On December 26 and January 6 each year, the historic center of Peccioli hosts 11 Lune d'Inverno, a festival of street performances, creative workshops, and recreational and educational activities.

In March, Pensavo Peccioli is held, a three-day festival to understand what is happening, to us and to the world, curated by Luca Sofri with leading journalists, writers, politicians, scientists, actresses, editors, filmmakers, architects and artists.

In October, on the other hand, there is the Coppa Sabatini bicycle race, in memory of Giuseppe Sabatini, a runner from Peccioli.

There are numerous farms in the Peccioli countryside that produce wine, oil and fruit. Worth trying is Peccioli's colombana grape, with its sweet, sugary flavor and intense aroma. Typical sweets of this area include bastoncelli, anise waffles that at first glance may remind one of Nozza di Calcinaia or Brigidini di Lamporecchio, but differ in their wavy shape.