Calci: Certosa, the Monti Pisani and Olive-Growing Culture

Calci between the Valgraziosa and the Monti Pisani

Calci lies at the foot of the Monti Pisani and in the centre of the Valgraziosa, a natural amphitheatre. On the western side of the mountain range, chestnut forests, Mediterranean maquis and ancient terraced olive groves meet. The town therefore combines landscape, culture and olive-growing traditions within a compact area – an interesting basis if, when choosing accommodation in Tuscany, you want to combine different experiences rather than focus on just one attraction.

Certosa, churches and special collections

The cultural centre is the Certosa di Calci. There, you can visit the large cloister, a monk’s cell, the church, the chapels, the refectory and the chapter house. The sacristy also displays the Bibbia atlantica, an illuminated 12th-century manuscript in four volumes. Another sacred interior awaits you in the Pieve di Calci, where three naves are separated by granite columns. The heritage also includes Castelmaggiore. The fortification was once the main settlement of the area and complements the religious monuments with a fortified historic site. In the village of Nicosia, the nativity scene “Il Presepio che cresce di Nicosia” is displayed in the Church of Sant’Agostino. A new figure is added to it every year. Calci also has a recurring special feature during the festive season: since 2013, the nativity scenes in the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa at the Certosa di Calci have been displayed again each year. The Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa houses zoological, palaeontological and mineralogical collections. One of its notable features is Italy’s largest freshwater aquarium. This means that a visit to Calci can be tailored to a variety of cultural interests, from sacred architecture and manuscripts to natural history and aquariums.

Mountain trails and views across the landscape

Numerous paths lead from the Valgraziosa up into the Monti Pisani. In Calci, you can hike through the wooded mountains between villages, hermitages, churches and towers. The landscape combines an experience of nature with scattered cultural and historical destinations, rather than placing just one viewpoint at the centre of attention. Monte Pisano is also considered an attraction for cycling enthusiasts. From its terraces, the view extends as far as Corsica. For active days, Calci thus offers a different perspective on Tuscany from the major art cities: the experience is shaped not by museum interiors, but by wooded slopes, paths and historic buildings along the route.

Olive oil from the Monti Pisani

Calci lies along the Strada dell’Olio Monti Pisani. It passes through Calci and runs through five municipalities in total: Buti, Calci, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano and Vicopisano. The area is characterised by ancient terraced olive groves. Extra virgin olive oil “IGP Toscano – sottozona Monti Pisani” is produced here from hand-picked and cold-pressed olives of the Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo varieties. The Festa dell’Olio takes place in November. The event includes a tasting of olive oil from Calci. Anyone who wants to discover regional products in connection with their landscape will find a direct link here between the growing area, traditional processing and the local festival calendar.

Getting there and other places for your search

Calci can be reached from Pisa’s central Sesta Porta bus station by buses 120 and 161 in around 30 minutes. If you are travelling by train, you can take the Pisa–Florence route to Pisa railway station and continue from there by bus to Calci. This connection makes Pisa the starting point for the journey, while Calci brings together the cultural and landscape highlights of the Valgraziosa. If you would like to explore other places for your travel planning, you can also find Terricciola, Santa Luce, Garetto Basso, Montecatini Val Di Cecina, Orciano Pisano, Bientina and Santa Colomba here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Pisa.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Calci: accommodation and attractions – travelling and staying in Tuscany (Italy).