A journey through craftsmanship and villages in Svizzera Pesciatina

The Paper Museum in Pescia, Pietrabuona, is a destination of great interest to all ages, not to mention a point of reference for restorers, scholars and bibliophiles from around the world.
All the secrets of paper, from its origins and its journey from the East to the Mediterranean, are told along a fascinating itinerary. The museum displays a precious collection of vintage watermarks, tools and machinery for artisanal papermaking in order to preserve and disseminate the history of this ancient local production. There are seven thousand tools used to make paper, especially watermarked paper forms, waxes for watermarks, punches, as well as sheets and stamps for watermarking.

 

The museum is accessible and usable by all, with platforms, an elevator and accessible toilets. It can be reached by car, with parking in the yard in front. 

Paper production requires water, an important resource of the area linked to the forests and to which is due the construction of mills, which can be visited via the hiking trails.

Exploring this area of Tuscany, Valdinievole and particularly Svizzera Pesciatina, is only complete with a visit to its characteristic ten medieval villages, known as “Le Castella,” protected with and built out of pietra serena: Pietrabuona, Medicina, Fibbialla, Aramo, Sorana, San Quirico, Castelvecchio, Stiappa, Pontito and Vellano.

 

Due to its mountainous nature, the area does not lend itself to easy accessibility but the drive alone can offer much excitement and awe thanks to the verdant and picturesque landscapes.