Places Itineraries Savour P.I.S.A. Art amazing land a land to discover www.pisacittapalcoscenico.it www.pisamazingcity.it

In collaboration with

Provincia di di Pisa How to Car By air

Most of the historic centre of Pisa international get here is subject to traffic restrictions. airport offers direct routes to Unauthorized access to the many Italian cities and a large restricted zone (“ZTL”) is number of international punishable with a fine. Guests of destinations, in Europe and hotels within the ZTL can obtain further afield. The airport is a temporary parking permit from located 1 km from the historic P.I.S.A. their hotels. Visitors in possession centre of Pisa, and can be Camper of a disabled driver’s pass can reached in just a few minutes access the ZTL on condition that by a bus service which shuttles where beauty they first request authorization between the airport’s rail termi- The camper van parking facility from the local police nal and Pisa’s central railway in Via di Pratale on the edge of (tel. +39 050 910851/910810). station. is at home the old town is equipped with A bus service (LAM red line) waste drains, drinking water also runs regularly between the and public showers. airport, the central station and The city centre is reachable by the city centre. A taxi rank can bike (via the cycle lane) or bus also be found at the terminal exit. (green LAM line). One of ’s great cities of history and art, Pisa is justly By sea www.pisa-airport.com www.cpt.pisa.it famous for its Leaning Tower and . The new pleasure port in Marina But there’s a less well-known side to its heritage that’s di Pisa faces the also well worth discovering: the historic centre with from the south bank of the its palazzos, medieval tower houses, estuary and is equipped with all Romanesque and Gothic churches, and the warren of the most modern port facilities. Designed to accommodate 344 Train narrow streets and small piazzas that back the riverfront Coaches boats, the harbour enclosure esplanades. There’s much worth seeing here: Piazza has a depth of between 3.5 and dei Cavalieri with its church of the same name and the 5 metres, enough to enable the Pisa’s central station is a impressive sgraffito façade of the Palazzo della Caro- All tourist coaches terminate in major regional and national rail movement and berthing of yachts vana, the botanical gardens and the National Museum the coach park in Via Pietrasan- of class 8 or higher. interchange. There are frequent tina, at the northern entrance to Just 20 kilometres from Pisa is services to , , of San Matteo, with its unique collection of 12th- and the city. This coach park is about , a ferry port serving the and . 13th-century masterpieces. But Pisa’s also a young and 800 metres from Piazza dei islands of the Tyrrhenian and a The station lies on the southern dynamic city, with its university and prestigious research Miracoli, which can be reached fringes of the old town, around major port of call for international institutes: the Scuola Normale Superiore, the Scuola on foot (about 10 minutes) or cruise liners. a mile from the airport and just bus (frequent service on the red two hundred metres from the Superiore Sant’Anna, and the CNR (National Research LAM line). www.portodipisa.it intercity coach terminal. Outside Council). It has much to offer in terms of leisure, too. www.portolivorno2000.it the central station are a taxi rank There’s excellent shopping on Corso Italia and under the include the Romanesque basilica of , www.cpt.pisa.it and bus terminal with regular www.pisamo.it services to Piazza dei Miracoli, arcades of Borgo Stretto, and authentic trattorias around the charterhouse of with its museum of natural the airport and the Cisanello the market in Piazza delle Vettovaglie. A short boat trip history, and the fortified village of , with its hospital complex. downriver along the Arno is the San Rossore natural Palazzo Pretorio and castle designed by Brunelleschi. park, a protected area that’s given over to macchia and A little way up the valley of the Arno are , who- Galileo Galilei www.trenitalia.com Mediterranean plantlife. se Piaggio museum is a place of pilgrimage for Vespa International Airport Open all year round. Pisa has a rich and eclectic lovers from all over the world, and , famed Tourist Arrivals +39 050 502518 programme of civic and cultural events: Pisan new year, for its white truffles and the ideal base for exploring information [email protected] the Internet Festival and Pisabookfestival during Giugno the surrounding countryside. Overlooking the Valdera, Pisano, the Luminara light festival, the historic regatta Colline Pisane and Val di Cecina in the southern rea- offices Central Station Area P.zza V. Emanuele II, 16 and the Battle of the Bridge pageant, the Regata delle ches of Pisa province rises the ancient town of , Hotel bookings +39 050 42291 Useful links Antiche Repubbliche Marinare (every four years) and the renowned for its Etruscan and medieval ruins and now and tourist [email protected] services www.pisaunicaterra.it Anima Mundi festival of sacred music. home to a major Etruscan museum, a remarkably good Taxis www.turismo.pisa.it In the immediate environs of Pisa, sights worth seeing art gallery, and a museum of alabaster. +39 050 541600 www.turismo.intoscana.it

03 Cosmopolitan Golf & Country Club Golf www.cosmopolitangolf.it For food Golf Club www.golftirrenia.it lovers

Pisa province is more than lovely landscapes and artistic Golf Club Fontevivo heritage. It also has an impressive gastronomic tradition. Leading local products include wine, extra-virgin olive oil, www.sanminiatogolf.it truffles, cheese, cured meats and much, much more. A number of dedicated food and wine trails take in impressive landscapes and country chapels in their voyage of discovery of a local food and wine tradition whose roots strike right down to the civilizations of the Etruscans and Romans. and refined surroundings. Visitors to the spa of Uliveto Among the leading itineraries are the Wine Trails and Terme can enjoy the benefits of hydroponic therapy and the Olive Oil trail. Follow the Colline Pisane Wine Trail Seaside, nature stroll in the spa gardens with their recreational areas, and you’ll get the chance to try delights such as Chianti swimming pool and tennis courts. DOCG delle Colline Pisane, Bianco Pisano San Torpè The oldest spa resort, , has a cure and and leisure DOC and Vin Santo San Torpè DOC. initiatives, chief among which is the national white recuperation centre with the most advanced technology The Etruscan Coast Wine Trail loops into Livorno provin- truffle festival held in San Miniato every November. and services, as well as an elegant wellbeing centre With , Tirrenia and to the ce, and among the Pisan wines included on its route is Other products of note include cured meats (some of whose panoramic terrace overlooks a large outdoors south of the Arno estuary and Marina di to the the renowned DOC, produced in red and which are unique and not to be found anywhere else), thermal pool and the surrounding gardens. north, the Pisan coastline has seaside resorts and sandy white varieties. cheese (with a number of varieties of ewe’s milk beaches that make it the ideal location for family holidays The Monti Pisani Olive Oil Trail is dedicated to the cheeses), pasta, Lari cherries and traditional sweets and for lovers of sports like golf and windsurfing. famous olive oil which has been produced since the such as torta co’ bischeri (), nozza Middle Ages on the seaward slopes of the Monti Pisani, () and... even a world-famous chocolate. The entire Pisan coast is contained by the natural park where the favourable climate and terrain help make it of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli, a mosaic of one of ’s most highly prized olive oils. remarkably unspoilt nature reserves that offer endless And then there’s the truffle, mainly found in the hills opportunities for exploration. The hinterland has a variety around San Miniato and now the star of a series of of landscapes and ecosystems: the green hills of the Monti Pisani and the ; the vine- and olive-clad scarps of the Volterra area, and the geysers and hot pools of the upper Val di Cecina.

All over Pisa province the countryside, embellished over the course of the centuries with terraced olive groves and row after row of vines stretching into the distance, is www.marenianonsolomare.it dotted with farmhouses, rural hotels and old mills. The countryside around Pisa is also rich in hot springs whose waters have been prized since Antiquity for their curative properties. The spa resorts that have grown up around these springs are frequented not only for therapeutic purposes but also for beauty treatments, fitness, wellbeing and peace and quiet. One of the leading spas is , which rose to fame in the 19th century when it was frequented by the European aristocracy. It offers a mix of traditional and contemporary treatments in elegant

04 3 4 Places National Palazzo (museums Museum of Blu and historic San Matteo Palazzo Blu stands on the south sites) bank of the Arno, just a stone’s Located in the medieval throw from Ponte di Mezzo in the of the same name beside the river heart of the old town of Pisa. Recen- Arno, the National Museum of San tly restored by Fondazione Pisa, this Matteo has one of Europe’s finest former seigniorial residence is now collections of medieval art. Its col- one of Pisa’s major arts venues. lections include a complete series The palazzo’s permanent collection of works by leading Pisan and can be viewed free of charge, while Tuscan painters from the 12th to the it also hosts occasional exhibitions 17th centuries and an impressive of works by major artists. section dedicated to ceramics and archaeological finds. Among its Tel. +39 050 2204650 masterpieces of Pisan sculpture www.palazzoblu.it 1 from the 12th to 15th centuries are the polyptych of Simone Martini, 5 originally in the church of Santa Piazza Caterina d’Alessandria, a Nativity by dei Miracoli Tino di Camaino, and the Madonna Jewish del Latte by the brothers Andrea Dominated by the Leaning Tower, and Nino Pisano. Cemetery Piazza dei Miracoli is the hub Tel. +39 050 541865 around which the artistic and Outside the medieval city walls www.sbappsae-pi.beniculturali.it architectural fame of Pisa revolves. not far from Piazza dei Miracoli, The dazzling whiteness of the Pisa’s Jewish cemetery is one of the 2 monuments, rising from the radiant oldest of its kind in the world and green of the grounds of the Piazza, documents four centuries of Jewish 6 7 is a unique spectacle for visitors. presence in Pisa. The harmony of the arches which Museo della The cemetery also contains the makes the imposing structure of the Grafica graves of Jewish soldiers who died Palazzo Botanical Leaning Tower so graceful is repea- in the First World War, and of the ted in the nearby and - Pisa’s museum of graphic arts is victims of the German massacres Reale Gardens a little further away - the Baptistery, housed in Palazzo Lanfranchi. and Nazi persecutions. creating a visual and stylistic con- One of the biggest public collections Pisa’s Palazzo Reale is one of the The botanical gardens of the tinuum of rare beauty. Two further of contemporary graphic arts, it Tel. +39 050 542580 city’s most prestigious buildings. were created in attractions on Piazza dei Miracoli offers scholars, students and www.pisaebraica.it Designed by Bernardo Buontalenti, 1543 by the physician and botanist are the Museo delle Sinopie, with its enthusiasts a truly stellar overview it was formerly home to the courts of Luca Ghini. They are the oldest collection of preparatory drawings of the art of graphic design. the Medici, Lorraine and Savoy dy- university botanical gardens in for the frescoes of the Camposanto, The museum also traces the nasties. The palazzo now contains a Europe. Originally located near the and the Museo dell’Opera del development of the graphic arts National Museum with an impressive Medici shipyards, in 1563 they were Duomo, with its impressive in the 19th and 20th centuries collection of local artefacts, Medici transplanted to the north-eastern collection of sculptures, paintings with documentary exhibits of work tapestries and suits of armour. fringe of the city’s historic centre, and reliquaries. In 1987, UNESCO by Sebastiano Timpanaro, Carlo Among the paintings, there are before moving to their present included Piazza dei Miracoli Ludovico Ragghianti and Giulio works by Rafael, Rosso Fiorentino, location in 1591. on its World Heritage list. Carlo Argan. Bronzino and Antonio Canova. Tel. +39 050 2211310 Tel. +39 050 835011 Tel. +39 050 2216060 Tel. +39 050 926539 www.biologia.unipi.it/ortobotanico www.opapisa.it www.museodellagrafica.unipi.it www.sbappsae-pi.beniculturali.it 11 13 15 Archeo site Charterhouse The of the of Calci University Founded in the 15th century, the of Pisa’s Roman charterhouse of Calci is a monu- mental complex comprising museums Ships of Pisa a large internal courtyard - the focus 10 of the common life of the monastery In 1998 during the works at the Since the 16th century the Univer- and its point of contact with the 8 foundations of Pisa-San Rossore train sity of Pisa has been assembling outside world - surrounded by a se- station, not far from the Leaning some truly extraordinary collections Museum of ries of abutting buildings containing Tower, the remains of 16 ancient in fields as diverse as Egyptology, the sleeping quarters, vegetable Domus ships, well preserved and dating back plaster copies of ancient sculptures, Calculation gardens and areas reserved for the to Roman period (1st century B.C - 12 veterinary anatomy, calculating observation of the Carthusian rule. Galilaeana 4th century A.C.)were found. Their machines, graphic arts, patholo- Instruments The monastery was inhabited by cargo included goods such as ropes, gical anatomy, human anatomy, , home of the Carthusian monks until the 1970s. It Not far from the Piazza dei Miracoli, fishing equipment, anchors, baskets natural history (Calci) and botany. Italian institute of science history, Fondazione is now open to visitors. the University of Pisa’s museum of cal- and fishing pots. Guided visits to the Each of these museums organizes works to promote study and research culating machines offers a unique archeological site only on booking. Cerratelli, guided tours for adults, educational in the work of Galileo Galilei and, in a Tel. +39 050 938430 and fascinating journey down the initiatives for schools, conferences broader sense, the history of ancient, www.sbappsae-pi.beniculturali.it history of information technology. Tel. +39 055 5520407 stage and concerts. modern and contemporary science. The Pisan Electronic Calculator, the [email protected] Its library includes two missives Olivettis that dominated the market in www.enjoyfirenze.it costumes Tel. +39 050 2213626 - 050 2213625 by Galileo among its many holdings, 1960s, portable calculation machines www.sma.unipi.it one of which, on the laws governing from 1800 to the present day: unique exhibition falling bodies, is written in examples of an exceptional collection Fondazione Cerratelli is home to Galileo’s own hand. that tell the story of computers from a the priceless collection of costumes scientific perspective. The museum has by the famous Florentine fashion Tel. +39 050 23726 a room dedicated to the Pisan physicist house. Its collection of 25,000 www.domusgalilaeana.it Antonio Pacinotti, with a number of his stage costumes and another 20,000 inventions (including the famous mac- artefacts including film posters, set 9 chinetta or dynamo) which illustrate photos, playbills and sketches is now the history of electromagnetism and conserved and on show to the public 14 Domus document the theory which underlies in a 1800m2 facility in Villa Roncioni the industrial use of electricity. di (San Giuliano Terme). Museum Mazziniana Tel +39 050 2213626 Tel. +39 050 817900 www.fondazionegalileogalilei.it www.fondazionecerratelli.it Domus Mazziniana contains the of Natural spiritual and material legacy of History the house of the Nathan-Rosselli family, where the Italian statesman One wing of the charterhouse of Giuseppe Mazzini lived his last years. Calci accommodates the University It is home to the Centre for Mazzini of Pisa’s museum of natural history Studies, with its important library on and territory. One of the oldest the history of the Risorgimento, and a museums of its kind in the world, museum which preserves the relics, its palaeontology, mineralogy and medals, flags, autographed papers, zoology collections are impressive, books, documents and personal and its whale gallery one of the effects of Mazzini. biggest in Europe.

Tel. +39 050 24174 Tel. +39 050 2212970 www.domusmazziniana.it www.msn.unipi.it 09 18 19 The Piaggio Guarnacci Museum Museum

The Piaggio museum occupies a Founded in 1761, the Guarnacci is former machine shop that is one of one of the oldest public museums the oldest buildings in the com- in Europe. The museum’s Etruscan pany’s Pontedera plant. Its Piaggio, collection has artefacts from the Villa- Vespa and Gilera collections are on novan and Roman periods. Star attrac- permanent exhibition: all models are tions include the Urn of the Spouses unique, original, and often curious, and the bronze sculpture known as and all have made a contribution The Shadow of the Evening. A single ticket gains you admission to several 16 17 to the history of transport in Italy and around the world. Among the museums in Volterra: the Guarnacci star exhibits are rare Vespas that Museum, the art gallery (Pinacoteca), The fortified Museum served as inspiration for artists like and the alabaster museum. Salvador Dalí, and models that village of networks: were equipped with special fairings Tel. +39 0588 86347 in an attempt to break the speed www.comune.volterra.pi.it Vicopisano San Miniato, record in the 1950s. There are also sections dedicated to the legendary 20 The frontier town of Vicopisano Volterra Ciao and Ape in some of their more played a decisive role in the wars creative iterations. between Pisa, Lucca and Florence. and Valdera Vicari Its castle, designed by Filippo Tel +39 0587 27171 The museum network of Volterra Brunelleschi, was built in 1440. www.museopiaggio.it Castle, Lari Since then, it has retained its includes the Guarnacci Etruscan character as a fortified village and museum, the art gallery and the Vicari castle stands in the centre of preserves some impressive me- alabaster museum. San Miniato’s the medieval village of Lari, which has dieval heritage, including no fewer network of affiliated museums been inhabited since the Etruscan than twelve towers dating from the includes the Tower of Frederick II, period. Although a castle has stood on 11th to 15th centuries, two medieval the archaeological museum and the this spot since 1000, it was the Floren- palaces and Brunelleschi’s castle, diocesan museum with its collection tine influence from the 15th century which is open to guided tours of religious art. The museum onwards that gave the structure its 21 22 for the public. network of Valdera includes all the present impressive appearance. Inside museums in and around Valdera. the castle, the Filippo Baldinucci civic Tel. +39 050 796581 These include the zoological museum has a collection of Etruscan Geothermics Museum www.viconet.it/turismo/ museum (), the Giorgio and Roman archaeological artefacts, Kienerk museum (), Vicari a number of works by the della Robbia Museum of Mining castle (Lari), the rural heritage brothers, and sections dedicated to The mining museum of Montecatini The geothermics museum of museums of , the museums 14th- and 15th-century frescoes. Val di Cecina tells the story of the explores the history of of , the museum of wood old copper mines of Camporciano, with models (), the Piaggio museum Tel. +39 0587 687116 located less than a kilometre from illustrating research and drilling and the Sete Sóis Sete Luas centre www.castellodilari.it the town centre, and the miners techniques. Groups with advance (both in Pontedera). who worked them. The museum bookings can also enjoy a video organizes guided tours of the former show explaining how geothermal www.valdarnomusei.it mine at Pozzo Alfredo and educatio- energy works, with a well sunk for www.sanminiatopromozione.it nal initiatives for schoolchildren. www.volterratur.it demonstration purposes. www.rmvaldera.it Tel. +39 0588 86099 Tel. +39 0588 67724 www.museodelleminiere.it www.museivaldicecina.it

10 Itineraries (nature, sports and leisure)

PISA, ART AND CULTURE 1

Pisa is the city of Galileo and the Leaning Tower. But it offers so much more besides, and it really requires a few days to take in all THINGS TO DO its attractions. The city grew on a bend in the river Arno, and the Shopping in the historic centre, Corso Italia river makes a fitting setting for palazzos of the granducal period, and Borgo Stretto Romanesque and Gothic churches, medieval and Renaissance fortresses. Pisa was once an obligatory stop for the Grand Tourists Bike sharing in Pisa of the European aristocracy, and many authors - Italian and www.ciclopi.eu European - have written of the fascination the city exerted on them. Cecina and spuma bionda Overlooking the Arno are a number of museums: the San Matteo, the Pisan pizzeria experience the Palazzo Reale, Museo della Grafica and Palazzo Blu, a major Boat trips on the Arno (July/August) venue for travelling exhibitions. The area between Piazza dei Mira- +39 050 533755 coli and the river is the medieval heart of the Maritime , while Piazza dei Cavalieri, built during the Renaissance, is the Jogging in the Piagge gardens symbol of the Medici domination. The piazza was commissioned by or San Rossore park Cosimo I dei Medici and is named after the knights of the Order of Pisa and Islam in the Middle Ages: St Stephen. Laid out by Giorgio Vasari, the piazza is lined by some www.pisaeislam.humnet.unipi.it important palazzos and churches of the granducal period, including Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri the Palazzo dei Cavalieri with its impressive façade, now occupied open on Saturdays 10-12 a.m. by the prestigious Scuola Normale Superiore. The churches of Pisa until October 2014 are well worth visiting: The small Gothic church of on the banks of the Arno, Santo Sepolcro, built on an octa- gonal floor plan in emulation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, San Paolo a Ripa d’Arno (known as the Duomo Vecchio or old cathedral), and the churches of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, San Francesco, and San Pierino in Vinculis with its crypt. Also not to be missed are the Museo del Calcolo with its collection of calculating machines, the Orto Botanico (the oldest university botanic gardens in Europe), the Keith Haring mural (the American artist’s last work in Europe) and the Ancient Ships compound, with a guided tour that explores this important archaeological site that has only recently been unearthed. 13 Itineraries (nature, sports and leisure)

VOLTERRA AND WALKING VAL DI CECINA. IN THE PARK 2 3 ETRUSCAN, ALABASTER, The natural park of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli ex- AND THE VOLTURI THINGS TO DO tends along the coastline of the provinces of Pisa and Lucca in a THINGS TO DO Excursions, guided tours, walking, bike and zone that was formerly a wetland of marshes and lagoons. Over Guided tours (advance bookings only) on Dominating the Cecina valley from its hillside 70 km outside horseback tours in the nature reserves of Val time, alluvial deposits from the rivers and Arno have foot, bike, narrow-gauge train, horse drawn di Cecina and the geothermal belt carriage, or horseback Pisa, Volterra is a treasure trove of Etruscan, Roman, medieval filled in the marshes, but the area is also the result of human and . Today, it retains its distinctly medieval Tripe, zuppa volterrana, ricciarelli, intervention over a span of centuries, with artificial watercourses Hire a bike, e-bike, or go-kart appearance, but the Etruscan influence - Volterra was originally and the bread and land reclamation. The first reclamation campaigns were (Saturday/Sunday only) sponsored by the Medici. Thanks to its geographic location and known as Velathri - is never far from the surface. The focal point The archaeological zone Boat trips on the Arno (July/August) of the medieval town is Piazza dei Priori and the imposing climate, the park is unusually diverse in the environments it palazzo of the same name, its façade pierced by three rows of Journey to the centre of the earth: the copper contains: a vast coastal wood, long stretches of beach and dune Shopping in the park boutique mines of Montecatini Val di Cecina biforate windows and studded with the coats of arms of various (Tirrenia and Marina di Vecchiano), and wetlands of international Spend the night in the park Florentine magistrates. Volterra’s religious buildings are concen- Take a dip in the geothermal pools renown (Lago di Massaciuccoli, San Rossore). trated around Piazza San Giovanni: the baptistery, Ospedale di of The economy of the park is based on agriculture and related ac- Centro Visite San Rossore tivities (agrifood products, pine nuts) and cattle and goat rearing. Santa Maria and the Romanesque cathedral. Volterra is famed Visit an alabaster laboratory Tel. +39 050 530101 for its alabaster crafts, a centuries-long tradition which is kept The authorities in charge of the park work constantly to improve [email protected] alive in the shops and studios of the old town. cultivation methods and expand organic production, and have www.dormirenelparco.it An exceptionally beautiful place, Volterra has often been the Tel. +39 0588 86099 even introduced a local quality label to attest to the authenticity setting for books and films, such as Luchino Visconti’s Sandra. www.volterratur.it and organic pedigree of the produce of the park. Horse breeding More recently, the town came to global attention thanks to the has a long and illustrious tradition in these parts, and racehorses US author Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga. New Moon, a are just one aspect of this tradition. The San Rossore hippodro- EVENTS film based on the second novel in the Twilight series, was partly me is well attended during the race season (www.sanrossore.it). Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli filmed here. Below Volterra, the Cecina valley is an ever-chan- THINGS TO SEE Natural Park Festival 16-25 May 2014 ging landscape where quintessentially Tuscan scenery - rolling Museo Guarnacci and the other museums of Volterra and Val di Cecina Route 2014: Meeting of Catholic Scouts hills, cypress trees, olive groves and vineyards - alternates with 6-10 August craggy outcrops, woodland and nature reserves, the spectacular Palazzo Viti www.palazzoviti.it ravines known as balze, and the spectacular steam vents of the geothermal belt. The geothermics museum of Larderello documents the history of geothermal energy, while the mining museum of Montecatini Val Di Cecina recalls a not-too-distant past when copper and iron were mined here.

14 Itineraries (nature, sports and leisure)

SAN MINIATO THE COLLINE AND THE VALDARNO: PISANE WINE GOOD FOOD ON THE 4 TRAIL 5 PILGRIM ROUTE THINGS TO DO THINGS TO DO Truffle hunting in San Miniato The Colline Pisane wine trail winds through the hills of Valdera Winery tours and tasting and the lower Valdarno. Winding roads, panoramic views, hill www.stradadelvinocollinepisane.it San Miniato stands on the , a major medieval pil- San Miniato, Slow Food town: buying and towns bursting with history and culture, romantic villages and grim route which linked northern Europe with Rome. It is strategi- trying food in the shops of the old town charming hamlets - with vineyards, wine shops, local produce Bike, vespa and motorcycle tours through the villages of the Valdera and the cally located above the valley of the Arno, at the intersection of www.sanminiatopromozione.it and delicacies everywhere you look. Colline Pisane roads linking Florence, Pisa, Lucca and . It’s unsurprising, www.sanminiatoturismo.it The Colline Pisane are world-famous for wines such as Chianti then, that the town has associations with Holy Roman Emperors DOCG, Colli dell’Etruria Centrale DOC (red and white), Bianco Shopping in Pontedera like Frederick II or popes like Gregory V and Eugene IV. Pisano di San Torpè DOC (a wine best enjoyed young and History has left an impressive heritage of art and architecture Walk the Via Francigena from San Miniato to Gambassi Terme (24km) or go by fresh), and Vin Santo. The whole area produces a number of in San Miniato. Most of the town’s sights are concentrated THINGS TO SEE mountain bike IGT wines, including the so-called Super Tuscans: full-bodied, around Piazza del Duomo, where San Miniato’s oldest and most www.camminafrancigena.it well-ageing wines made from selected grapes, with carefully Piaggio Museum, Pontedera prestigious buildings stand: the Palazzo Comunale, the episcopal monitored fermentation and ageing in small (barriques) Prehistoric Parc of Peccioli palace, the 14th-century Palazzo dei Vicari, the cathedral and Santa Croce sull’Arno, world capital or large (tonneaux) barrels. for families and children the Rocca Federiciana, symbol of the town. of leather: tour the tanneries and buy Tel. +39 0587 636030 An interesting sequence of museums runs through the old town, directly from the factory www.parcopreistorico.it with exhibitions, collections and historic buildings as well as www.prolocosantacroce.it museums proper. San Miniato is a Slow Food town and the heart : birthplace of Andrea Bocelli and the Teatro del Silenzio of an area that’s famous for its food and wine. Among the local : excursions and delicacies is the white truffle, to which a festival is dedicated activities in the Cerbaie nature reserve www.consorzioforestalecerbaie.it every November. Shops, taverns and restaurants offer the best in local and Tuscan tradition. On the culture front, San Miniato Excursions in the Padule di has a long tradition in theatre and cinema. The town regularly at- wetlands tracts theatrical productions of of international renown, a drawing Centro Educazione Ambientale power that has earned it the nickname of “city of theatre”. Tel. +39 0587 756495 On the cinema side, San Miniato is home to a centre of film www.comune.bientina.pi.it studies named after the filmmakers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani, natives of San Miniato who have drawn inspiration from the legend and history of their home town in films such as The Night of the Shooting Stars.

16 17 Itineraries Savour (nature, sports (taste and and leisure) good food)

1 Flavours SPAS AND WELLNESS of Volterra 29-30 March ON THE MONTI 2 3 PISANI OLIVE 6 25 October-2 November A two-stage (spring and autumn) OIL TRAIL THINGS TO SEE festival of food and drink, with white The Lari The Charterhouse and Museum of Natural truffles, wines, cheeses, cured History of Calci meats, extra-virgin olive oils, tasty Cherry grape The Monti Pisani Olive Oil Trail is an association created by local The fortified town of Vicopisano local dishes and all kinds of food- authorities and olive oil producers in an endeavour to promote and-culture tie-ins. Festival and Wine the excellent local extra-virgin olive oil. The trail takes in art and and Brunelleschi’s castle +39 050 796581 The spring stage of the festival End of May / history, food and wine and local products ranging from Toscano Festival Tonini Castle and Villa Medicea in Buti includes a prizegiving ceremony Beginning of June Monti Pisani IGP extra-virgin olive oil to cured meats made from for the winners of the “Smooth as Mid-September Mucco pisano, a local variety of beef, combining the pleasures The Romanesque churches of Pugnano, Oil” award for the best extra-virgin The Lari cherry festival is one of of the palate with relaxation and wellbeing at the spas of San The Terricciola grape and wine , Calci, and Vicopisano olive oil in the province. the oldest produce fairs in Tuscany Giuliano and Uliveto. Pisa province is well stocked with hot festival - now in its 52nd year The Radico Ecomuseum, with central office and your chance to sample all kinds springs that have been celebrated for their curative properties - celebrates the winegrowing tradition in Rigoli www.radico.it www.volterragusto.com of cherries, presented by local since Etruscan and Roman times. in an event that combines wine, food producers in baskets and specially- The present-day thermal establishment of Bagni di Pisa was built Sea, beach and dunes in Marina and culture. Wine tasting, estate designed recipients. during the granducal period, and rose to fame in the 19th di Vecchiano tours, events and wine evenings. century when it was frequented by the European aristocracy. www.comune.lari.pi.it It offers a mix of traditional and contemporary treatments in www.comune.terricciola.pi.it elegant and refined surroundings. The Monti Pisani Olive Oil THINGS TO DO Trail passes through the spa town of . Guided tours in the natural parks Uliveto has long been famous for the curative properties of its of Monte Pisano mineral-rich hot springs. Southwards through the hills, the trail +39 050 815061 comes to another town known for its springs, Casciana Terme, [email protected] whose spa includes an advanced physical rehabilitation centre Paragliding and hang gliding and a large open-air swimming pool much appreciated by in the Pisan hills families with children. There’s also Villa Borri, a spa with wellness centre and themed treatment programmes. Olive oil tasting in the oil mills along the Monte Pisano route. www.stradaolio.it

18 19 4 5 6 7 8 9 D.O.C. The San Dolcemente A walk Pisa Food Vetrina Wine fair 22-23 November among the Miniato Stazione Leopolda &Wine Toscana Montescudaio White Truffle olive groves Festival Vetrina Toscana is a project jointly First Sunday Pisa’s Stazione Leopolda is the organized by the government and Festival venue for this festival dedicated San Giuliano Terme is the location 13-14 December chambers of commerce of Tuscany in October to Tuscany’s most exquisite and for this festival of olive oil, where Last three weekends Stazione Leopolda and made to happen by restaurants refined confectionery. producers from the Monti Pisani and victuallers. It promotes a food D.O.C. wine fair Now entering its in November Visitors can meet producers, Olive Oil Trail open their estates A festival of the very best local philosophy based on locally sourced 47th year, the Montescudaio D.O.C. sample their products, and offer to visitors. Restaurants participating produce from Monti Pisani to ingredients, artisan production wine fair is held in Piazzale del Three consecutive weekends their feedback. The initiative is in the initiative offer menus specially Valdicecina, including pasta, honey, and the uniqueness of terroir. Castello in the historic centre of packed with events - and truffles - in specially conceived to showcase created to celebrate the quality sweets and cakes, cured meats, The restaurants and victuallers who the village. It includes wine tasting, the historic centre of San Miniato. traditional confectionery that’s of the extra-virgin olive oil of the cheese, wine, olive oil, sauces and participate in the initiative display a a small crafts market, food stalls All the local restaurants have not found in the usual retail Monti Pisani, and there are guided chocolate. Organized by the city’s special Vetrina Toscana logo, and serving traditional Tuscan fare truffles on their menus, and there’s circuits. tours of the local oil-producing area. chamber of commerce, the Pisa Food promote products and dishes of the and a rich programme of fringe also the chance to take part in a & Wine Festival is designed to bring Pisan and Tuscan culinary traditions events for grown-ups and truffle hunt: with dogs. The white www.dolcementepisa.it Associazione I Cavalieri local producers and restaurateurs with all the quality that only small children. truffle is the star of the festival, but Tel. +39 335 5863364 into contact with food lovers and the producers, local distribution and it’s ably backed by the finest Italian +39 338 1755360 general consumer alike. It’s part of seasonal cultivation can guarantee. www.comunemontescudaio.pi.it farm produce. The villages in the www.icavalieri.org the rich programme of similar events Includes DOC wines and olives oils environs of San Miniato have their [email protected] held throughout Tuscany every year from the Pisan hills. own satellite truffle festivals - these and is a major showcase for the food, can take place any time from late wine and agricultural produce of Pisa www.vetrina.toscana.it September to early November. province. It also includes cookery lessons for adults and children. www.sanminiatopromozione.it www.sanminiatoturismo.it www.pisafoodwinefestival.it 20 21 Guided 3 6 9 11 PISAINCOMING Galileo Tour SAN MINIATO VADOEVEDO TOURISM GUIDES Every Saturday in June, 5 pm. PROMOZIONE ASSOCIATION With the participation of Roberto Guided excursions in the protected Tours areas of the Monte Pisano. A Tour of the Piazza Sonnini, a leading Galileo scholar. Wines, cured meats and truffle OF VOLTERRA, dei Miracoli hunting in San Miniato. Tel. +39 347 5870026 VALDICECINA All year round Fri-Sat-Sun all year round, 11:30 am. ‘Me and Busketo www.vadoevedo.it AND VALDERA Dates with special programmes for my cathedral’ Tour Tel. +39 0571 42745 www.sanminiatopromozione.it 2014: 25 March, 21 April, 1 May, A guided tour of the cathedral and its In the footsteps of 2 June, 8 December. epigraphy, in the company of the author of the bestselling novel Io Busketo. Edward and Bella: Date: 22 March at 3 pm, 25 May, 15 the New Moon trail 19 and 26 April, 3 and 31 ‘Sunset on the June and 14 September at 5 pm. 1 Camposanto’ Tour 7 10 May, 5-12-19 July, 2-9-16-23-30 PISATOUR Fridays and Saturdays 20 June-31 Tel. +39 333 6144924 +39 389 7886808 August at 6 pm August at 7:30 pm. www.pisaguide.com ARIANNA NATURATOUR & FRIENDS Discovering medieval PISA - A WOMAN’S Among the gentle Volterra PERSPECTIVE A guided tour of the village of hills of Terricciola 22 August 2014, departures at 3 Peccioli 15 May-15 October, every and the vineyards and 5 pm This original tour offers a female of Badia di perspective on the city of Pisa 4 GRAND TOUR OF PISA Tuesday at 9:45 am from the Maritime Republic to the 10 May 2.30 pm Heat and energy of the Tel. +39 0587 672088 present day, looking at its monu- THE SIX SENSES www.ariannandfriends.com earth: the geothermics ments, streets and piazzas from Monte Faeta museum of Larderello the point of view of the illustrious Sight: From the The sixth sense: and the hermitage 1 June-30 September, females associated with the city. of Mirteto every Thursday at 4 pm pendulum to the telescope Perceptions, miracles, 11 May 9:30 am 12 April 10:30 am legends ROMAN PISA: 20 September 4:30 pm Rocca Sillana and the AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL Smell: The gardens of Pisa Among the hills Pavone Valley TOUR 25 May 10:30 am and 3:30 pm from Volterra to 1 June-30 September Taste: “Gottin di vino Every Saturday, Hear: Sounds of the e stiacciate con cecìna” Montecatini A guided tour that takes in Roman, Valdicecina Sunday and Monday medieval and more recent city - closing concert 11 October 4:30 pm 17 May 9 am from 5-8 pm archaeological sites. 1 June 4:30 pm Tel. +39 320 9154975 Touch: The basilica +39 388 5896909 Montenero nature Night visit to the Tel. +39 328 1446855 of San Piero between www.lestoriedicitygrandtour. reserve and the ruined Castle www.pisatour.it stones and pine seeds wordpress.com Strolla waterfalls of Rocca Sillana 12 July 9:30 pm 31 May 9:30 am 1 July-31 August every Tuesday at 9 and 10:30 pm Villa Bosniasky and Monte Castellare The Mines of Montecatini 8 5 by moonlight Val di Cecina 2 SEGNI DI VIAGGIO 25 April-30 September, 12 July 8:45 pm PISA CITY every Friday at 4 pm COOPERATIVA Around Pisa: street art, 12 April to 13 September, every second Saturday in the month at 3:30 pm SIGHTSEEING KINZICA gardens, towers and San Rossore The Cecina river and courtyards - ends at TOURS by bike Masso delle Fanciulle the Leaning Tower Calci: the town and Palazzo Blu and Charterhouse Discover Pisa from the comfort of 13 September 9 am 15 July-31 August every Balle di Scienza 30 March to 28 September, every the world’s most famous tourist bus. Tuesday at 4 pm March-June, 4 pm Sunday at 10:30 am. 12 April to 13 September, every second Saturday in the month at 10 am Hop-on hop-off around the clock. Tel. + 39 339 3670805 Around Pontedera: ww.naturatour.it Tel. + 39 0588 86099 Tel. +39 377 1672424 Tel. +39 050 502518 + 39 377 2590164 Tel. +39 328 8090205 www.volterratur.it www.kinzicacoop.it chocolate, Vespas and www.segnidiviaggio.com +39 050 533755 contemporary art www.pisa.city-sightseeing.it

22 23 3 Art June in (exhibitions, Pisa: dance, readings a festive and music) month

June in Pisa is a month packed with historic pageants, parades, concerts, street parties and cultural initiatives as Pisa celebrates its time-honoured traditions. The three highlights are the Luminara, the Regatta and the Gioco del Ponte or Battle on the Bridge. 6 www.pisaunicaterra.it Battle on the Bridge 29 June 1 2 4 5 A historical re-enactment of a battle in full period costume, the Gioco del Pon- Pisan 950 years Luminara di Palio di te or Battle on the Bridge unfolds in two different stages: a spectacular historic New Year of Pisa San Ranieri San Ranieri parade along the riverfront featuring 2016 16 June 17 June with 700 marchers, and the “battle” pro- Cathedral after sundown per on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the 25 March 2015 Four boats in the colours of Pisa’s city’s four traditional neighbourhoods, 950 years since the foundation sto- traditional neighbourhoods – assembled in two rival factions, face off ne of its cathedral was laid, Pisa will The magical Luminara di San Faithful to the tradition of the Santa Maria, San Francesco, San in a show of physical prowess. Victory be celebrating the anniversary with Ranieri takes place every 16 Maritime Republic, Pisa celebrates Martino and Sant’Antonio – hold goes to the side that succeeds in a series of events and initiatives, June on the Pisan riverfront. It’s a its own new year on 25 March. a boat race on the Arno in taking control of the bridge by pushing including the restoration of the apse tradition that dates back to 1688. Every 25 March on the stroke of a tradition that goes back to the a heavy cart along a grooved track to of the cathedral and the façade of Over 120,000 small glass-enclosed noon, a ray of sunlight shines into candles are suspended from white days of the Maritime Republic. the other side of the bridge. the nave of the cathedral and strikes Museo delle Sinopie. In May there’s an exhibition by wooden frames whose outlines a marble egg-shaped bracket above www.comune.pisa.it www.giocodelpontedipisa.it Polish artist Igor Mitoraj, with sculp- follow the forms of the architecture the pulpit of . On – the buildings, bridges, churches Monday 25 March, therefore, Pisa tures, paintings and drawings. Part of the restored fresco cycle and towers of the riverfront will already be in 2016. – they’re attached to. It’s an The celebrations also mark the The Triumph of Death will be retur- ned to its place in the Camposanto unforgettable sight, and to top it start of the tourist season in the all off there’s a fireworks display. city of the Leaning Tower and the by summer. surrounding province. www.opapisa.it www.comune.pisa.it www.pisainformaflash.it

25 11 13 Teatro del Querceto Silenzio International Andrea Piano Bocelli and 12 Festival 9 Ennio Musicastrada 20-31 July The piano is the protagonist of this The Piazza Morricone Festival summer festival, played solo or as in drawing in concert 15-20 August part of an ensemble. 12 April-3 August 20 and 22 July The touring festival of quality music www.association-marcopolo.org in all its expressions, created as a platform for the musical genres that An exhibition of engravings and Now in its ninth year, the Teatro mass media usually ignores: blues, drawings of the Piazza del Duomo del Silenzio festival has not one but jazz, ethnic, folk and traditional. to mark the 950th anniversary of two big name attractions this year: the laying of the foundation stone of Andrea Bocelli (20 July) and Ennio www.musicastrada.it . Morricone (22 July). In the enchan- Palazzo Blu, second floor rooms ting hillside setting of Lajatico. Lungarno Gambacorti 9 Open: Tuesday-Friday www.teatrodelsilenzio.it 10 am-7 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-8 pm (closed Mondays). Free admission

www.palazzoblu.it

14 7 8 10 Collinarea Blue Moon Evening Volterra Festival 20-22 June opening Teatro 25 July-2 August This annual festival in San Miniato in Piazza 14-27 July A theatre festival which combines showcases some of the leading productions by established Italian Italian and international puppet dei Miracoli The summer theatre festival of companies with performances by theatre talent. It’s Italy’s leading 17 June-31 August Volterra and Val di Cecina has major talented up-and-coming troupes, festival of its kind, with marionettes, international companies plus while other groups return year after puppets, shadow theatre Evening opening of the Leaning Compagnia della Fortezza, year to establish a certain continuity and more. Tower and Camposanto. a theatre group formed in from one festival to the next. From 8-10 pm. Volterra jail. www.terzostudio.it www.collinarea.it www.opapisa.it www.volterrateatro.it

26 17 Modigliani in Palazzo Blu 3 October 2014 15 February 2015

Autumn and winter in the city of the Leaning Tower come alive with a major new exhibition in Palazzo Blu. After Chagall, Mirò, Picasso, Kandinsky and Warhol, this year’s show is on Modigliani.

www.palazzoblu.it

18

Teatro 19 Verdi I Concerti October 2014 May 2015 della Pisa’s Teatro Verdi returns in 2014 Normale with a rich and varied programme: October 2014 15 16 masterpieces of opera, dramatic productions ranging from the clas- June 2015 sical to the contemporary, a dance Pisa’s Scuola Normale Superiore Volterra Anima season that’s established itself as draws on a wide and varied reper- 20 Mundi a leading showcase for the many toire to put together a programme AD 1398 facets of dance, and much more: whose emphasis is on educating 17 and 24 August 12-27 September including a season of concerts by the ear. The idea is to bring musical Christmas the orchestra of the Scuola culture closer to students and public Normale Superiore. A medieval city comes back to life The Anima Mundi international alike, while encouraging audiences Concert for two weeks in a colourful explo- festival of sacred music has been to listen comparatively to the diffe- www.teatrodipisa.pi.it 20 December sion of shows, events, crafts, music, under the artistic direction rent pieces performed. The concerts jugglers, knaves and noblemen. of Sir John Eliot Gardiner for the span a variety of musical styles and The Christmas concert in Pisa For visitors it’s a unique opportunity last seven years, and this epochs, instrumental interpreta- cathedral: Beethoven’s Mass for to immerse themselves as if by year’s concerts, in the incredible tions and genres of composition to soloists, chorus and orchestra magic in the atmosphere of the settings of the cathedral and create a comparative picture of the in C major (op. 86) Middle Ages – and all in one of the Camposanto, are free. innovative and experimental idioms most beautiful cities in Tuscany. of contemporary music. www.opapisa.it www.opapisa.it www.volterra1398.it www.concerti.sns.it 29 Other Events

1 2 3 4 5 6 Park Route Internet Nights Pisa Book Christmas Festival 2014 Festival in colour Festival in and 16-25 May 6-10 August 9-12 October 28 June, Pontedera 7-8-9 November 13 September, Volterra Palazzo dei Congressi around Pisa To mark European Parks Day, 25 years after the visit of Pope 6 December, Pisa Pisa is Italy’s city of information a full programme of outings, John Paul II to Pisa, this year’s July, San Miniato Christmas in the city and province technology. Its university was the excursions and guided tours scouts’ rally in Tenuta di San (date to be defined) Pisa’s conference centre hosts of Pisa is a time of fairs, concerts first in Italy to offer a course in IT, designed to bring the public closer Rossore includes the special Nights of different colours in Pisa Italy’s leading independent and all kinds of initiatives. and it was the first Italian city to to the Migliarino-San participation of Pope Francis. and the leading towns of the publishers’ fair, dedicated to small Don’t miss the many spectacular connect to the Internet. Rossore-Massaciuccoli natural province: White Night in Blue in the publishing houses, bookshops nativity scenes: (San Miniato), The internet festival is a chance park, in all its variety of fauna www.routenazionale.it provincial capital, the classic White and everyone who’s passionate which draws tens of thousands of for everyone who’s interested and flora. Night of Pontedera, the Red Night about books. visitors every year, San Romano, to catch up on the latest trends, of Volterra and the brand-new Black Nicosia, Vicopisano, Lari, the tendencies and outlooks in the www.parcosanrossore.org Night of San Miniato. www.pisabookfestival.it miniature nativity scenes online world. of Montegemoli, and the Angelo, www.nottebiancapontedera.it www.internetfestival.it built entirely by hand by the artist www.volterratur.it Angelo Perini. www.nottebiancainblu.it www.nottenerasanminiato.it

30 35 PISA AD 2014 continues... in 2015

A YEAR TO REMEMBER

THE 450TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GALILEO GALILEI AND THE 950TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE OF PISA CATHEDRAL

Two anniversaries that mark a year full of events in a city that’s famous for famous people: Galileo Galilei, Keith Haring, Kinzica de’ Sismondi, Leonardo Fibonacci, Enrico Fermi, Andrea Bocelli. A city where everything happens. Where life is an experience.

www.pisamazingcity.it www.pisaAD2014.it Comune di Pisa