Orciano is located in one of the most beautiful areas in all of Tuscany, nestled in the expansive and welcoming hills around Livorno. Immersed in the calm and meditative nature, it’s home to trails and white roads that invite visitors to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city and rediscover the magic of slow living through a walk or bike ride.
Etymologically deriving from “terreno di Ursio” (Ursio's land), the town is probably medieval as various 8th century documents would suggest. Orciano may have arisen as a fief of a Lombard family, and then passed under Florentine control like many of the area’s villages.
Orciano is home to the 15th-century Church of San Michele, which conserves a copy of a painting by Raphael dedicated to San Michele the Archangel. The building, which has suffered immense damage over the years, now has a Neoclassical appearance, but the polychrome marble altar is as old as the original church.
Along the roads winding around Orciano, a paradise for motorcyclists heading to the sea, is the Pisan Hills Wine Trail which brings companies and the area's producers of excellent food and wine together.
The Pisa Area’s food and wine is known for being varied and distinctively unique. If you’re on the hunt for delicious flavours, stop off at the Terricciola vineyards, or San Miniato’s hills to try the white truffle or mallegato, a Slow Food presidium sausage.
If, on the other hand, you’re more swayed by the scents of fresh fish, then head to Marina di Pisa, a fishing village transformed into a seaside resort in the second half of the 19th century and now also a port. Along its incredible coastline you’ll be able to see many art nouveau buildings that directly overlook the sea with thick pine forests behind.
The musical event "Io vado ad Orciano" takes place in Orciano Pisano in July. The town is filled with concerts, shows and events for the whole family. The proceeds from the event are generally donated to charity.
High quality wines are produced in Orciano Pisano (whose origins date back to the Etruscan era), such as Chianti DOCG, a Made in Italy icon based on Sangiovese with a ruby red colour. The options don’t stop there; there’s also the dry and balanced Bianco Pisano di San Torpè DOC.
Pecorino Toscano DOP, a soft or semi-hard cheese often used as an appetizer or to add flavor to traditional recipes, is also very popular.
