Boschi: Church History and Village Culture

Boschi brings together several aspects of local culture for a trip to Tuscany: church history, a spiritual teaching tradition, and village festivals. If you also choose where to stay based on the cultural connections it offers, these themes can be distinguished clearly. A consecration is tied to a specific date, the Mithraic school to a described path of initiation, and the festival examples to particular years.

Church history and a spiritual path

The new church in Boschi di Lari was consecrated by Bishop Ghizzoni on October 22, 1977. This date makes the consecration a clearly defined historical reference. A Mithraic school was also founded in Boschi di Lari. The Scuola mithraica di Boschi di Lari is described as a seven-part initiatory path centered on honesty, non-judgment, love, and friendship. The references are therefore clearly distinct: the consecration points to a named event in church history, while the school describes a path with clearly defined principles. For travelers interested in religious history, the exact date of the consecration is a clear point of reference; those looking for a thematic approach based on values can turn to the four guiding principles listed.

Village life, portraits, and festivals

Another way to explore village life is Il Sabato del Villaggio, a festive village initiative held in Boschi di Lari. As part of the initiative, Antonio Malacarne's photo exhibition “Ritratti di Boschigiani nel tempo” was shown. The title directs attention to portraits of people from Boschi across time. The event, its creator, and its title bring together a community celebration and a photographic view of the village's residents. This is a different cultural perspective from church history or the spiritual school.

The festivals also offer different points of interest. The “Festa del Cacciatore” took place in Boschi di Lari from August 12 to 15 and from August 19 to 22, 2004. In May 2017, the 33rd edition of the “Sagra del prosciutto e dei baccelli” was celebrated there. The broad beans and prosciutto at this festival came from local cultivation and livestock farming. A UISP amateur cycling race was also part of the event. Thus, culinary and sporting elements featured side by side on this occasion: locally produced foods and a cycling competition. Those interested in regional food culture will find a specific connection to this festival in its broad beans and prosciutto; for cycling enthusiasts, the amateur race is a distinct aspect of the same event.

Timing for planning your trip

For planning purposes, distinguish between a seasonal time frame and a completed course period. The parish's holiday service schedule lists a Mass in Boschi di Lari at 08:45 and applies from September to June. If you would like to plan your visit around it, please check the current holiday schedule. A three-year training course for yoga teachers ran from October 2021 to November 2024 at the location in Boschi di Lari, Via Barsottini 8; reservations were required. While the service schedule gives a seasonal time frame, the yoga course should be regarded as an activity from a period that has ended.

Discover more destinations: Castellina Marittima, Castelfranco Di Sotto, Montopoli In Val D'arno, Monteverdi Marittimo, Calci, Staffoli, Casino di Terra, Le Colombaie

For the main travel overview: Pisa.