Serravalle Pistoiese

A town long fought over between Florence, Lucca and Pistoia, Serravalle conserves two elements that recall the history of this fortified village: the ruins of two strongholds on either side of the town. These are the limestone Barbarossa Tower and the Castruccio-era fortress, now known as the Rocca Nuova. The latter has a unique triangular shape with a hexagonal tower, atop which the view is extraordinary. In the past, these two structures were connected by a walkway that was part of the defense walls. Only a few stretches of the walls remain, including Porta della Gabella (Gate of the Duty), facing a road leading to its namesake village, which, as the name suggests, was a customs centre.

After admiring the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Serravalle, we venture through its hamlets, scattered over a wide space, but each with special sites of interest. These include Cantagrillo, Casalguidi, Castellina and Vinacciano, home to interesting buildings, like elegant villages immersed in nature and boasting views of the valley below.

A stone's throw from the lively center of Montecatini Terme, Serravalle Pistoiese is a veritable gateway to the Pistoia area and its mountains.

For example, if you are looking for a place to breathe pure high-altitude air, you can go to Abetone, a well-known location for sports and nature holidays in the Tuscan Apennines. In winter, skiers can count on over 50 km of slopes with an excellent ski lift. In the summer season, you can learn more about these mountains through the Montagna Pistoiese Ecomuseum, with various itineraries enabling you to discover historic crafts, customs, and the flora and fauna of the area. The Botanical Garden is most certainly an interesting stop.

In the municipality of San Marcello Piteglio, you'll find one of the main attractions of the area: the Ferriere suspension bridge, a pedestrian walkway that connects Mammiano Basso and Popiglio. It's 227 meters long and held the title as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world up until 2006.

For years, the beautiful Rocca Nuova has hosted the Serravalle Jazz event in which dozens of musicians with an international profile perform, making the atmosphere unique. The concerts, generally organized in the summer months, are preceded by interesting seminars.

Another regular event is Serravalle Rock, a festival featuring Italy's best up-and-coming artists as well as big-name foreign guests.

On August 19, the same location becomes the setting for the San Lodovico Festival, with religious rites that culminate with a historical procession and archery challenges between the districts competing for the Palio.

Following the hills of Serravalle Pistoiese, from one village to the next, there are stretches of olive groves, making this area a vital part of the Montalbano Olive Oil and Wine Trail, an itinerary that invites visitors to discover the flavors of a good Tuscan meal.