Visiting the village of Castagno di Piteccio holds many surprises.
Founded around 1600, it's set in a crown of lush hills and mountains. Unlike many characteristic Tuscan villages, Castagno offers the advantages of escaping into nature, a short distance from the art city of Pistoia, and not only.
Here are 3 reasons to include Castagno in your travel itinerary.
Contents
1.
Immersed in nature just 15 minutes from the city
2.
An open-air museum that is always in progress
3.
Reach the village with the Porrettana
1.
Immersed in nature just 15 minutes from the city
Castagno di Piteccio - Credit: Visit Pistoia
The name comes from the chestnut woods that were once predominant. It can be reached in just a few minutes by car and by train, departing from the centre of Pistoia and bringing you to be totally immersed in nature. Autumn is particularly charming, with the red, yellow and orange foliage that colours the whole landscape. In summer, the forest offers cool relief from the heat.
1.
An open-air museum that is always in progress
Castagno di Piteccio, an open-air museum - Credit: Visit Pistoia
Tommaso Paloscia, an art critic who deeply loved this small village, gifted an important artistic heritage to Castagno from 1975 to 2004. Today, it's a true open-air museum village, which is further enhanced by artist residences. Don't expect traditional displays: here, the works appear from the windows, hide in the bushes, and are awaiting you just around the corner.
1.
Reach the village with the Porrettana
Castagno station immersed in the woods - Credit: Visit Pistoia
Since 1864, the Porrettana Railway has crossed the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine ridge to connect Pistoia and Bologna. Following the same route around the curves, over the bridges and through the tunnels, still today the scheduled trains and the unique journeys of the Porrettana Express bring you to the museum village. In a 20-minute carriage ride from Pistoia, the small station of Castagno is quite literally immersed in the woods. It's a unique and pleasant experience that allows you to rediscover nature.
