Le Colline Pisane are the heart of the Terre di Pisa. Here, art, history, nature and agricultural tradition have coexisted in harmony for centuries.
This itinerary tarvels along the wine trail Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane, among the landscapes that inspired the Macchiaioli paintings. From Fauglia, land of good food and excellent wines, to Crespina, known for its villa-farms. From the timeless Lorenzana and Orciano Pisano, to Lari and Casciana Alta, to discover the Castello dei Vicari and savor the local cherries. Finally, a wellness experience in the thermal baths of Casciana Terme.
The first stop is Fauglia, a small agricultural center that boasts a Municipal Theater and a Museum housed in the old prisons and dedicated to the Macchiaioli painter, Giorgio Kienerk. The area produces excellent wine, quality extra virgin olive oil (including the characteristic “Gremigno”), cheeses and various varieties of honey. There are numerous nature trails for bike or MTB lovers, but also plenty of options for trekkers, hikers, and those on horseback.
In Crespina there are many villa-farms, a real status symbol for wealthy Tuscan families, almost all of them privately owned today. That of the collector Carlo Pepi is open to visitors and hosts over 20 thousand works of contemporary art. Crespina is also famous for being a breeding center for owls (a historic fair is held here every year on September 29).
A detour takes us to Lorenzana and Orciano Pisano, two villages surrounded by a wonderful landscape where time seems to stand still. Lorenzana has charming alleys where you can catch glimpses of the remarkable countryside. It's an ideal place for trekking and cycling enthusiasts, thanks to the numerous paths that wind through the hills. It's also perfect for food and wine enthusiasts who want to discover typical products by visiting wineries, farms and oil mills.
Heading back towards Pisa, we stop in Lari, a medieval village dominated by the imposing Castle of the Vicars, once a jail and site for torture but now an interactive museum (suitable for schools and families), as well as a location for weddings. Near the castle, you can find traditional artisan workshops.
Lari is also synonymous with cherries, given that around 20 varieties are produced here and sold at the end of May during one of the oldest food festivals ("sagre") in Tuscany.
Nearby, in Usigliano, you can find the fascinating Museum of Rural Traditions which, in addition to wine barrels and jars of oil, has a permanent exhibition of cribs, while in Casciana Alta you'll see the Oratory of the Madonna della Cava, one of the few buildings with an octagonal shape in Italy.
The final stop is Casciana Terme. The perfect place to relax with a spa treatment or have a dip in the 36°C outdoor balneotherapy pool. Casciana boasts a spa tradition dating back to the Middle Ages and today it's a wellness center (Terme di Casciana and Terme Villa Borri) and rehabilitation center, one of the most important in Italy.
In the surroundings, you'll find many options for walking or cycling, with a large network of nature trails immersed in the green hills.
