Usigliano: Village History, Nativity Art and Paths through the Pisan Hills

Usigliano combines a distinctive nativity and village history with historic buildings and paths through the landscape of the Pisan Hills. Those looking for more than just the major art cities of Tuscany, and also seeking smaller cultural sites, will find several different points of interest here: museums, religious buildings, a palace, local festival traditions, and vineyards and olive groves in the surrounding area.

Nativity Art and Rural History

The Museo della Civiltà Contadina e del Presepe in Usigliano features a permanent exhibition with more than 40 dioramas and nativity scenes. Dioramas are three-dimensional scenic displays; here, they combine the theme of the nativity with rural culture. This gives the museum a clear focus that extends beyond a single seasonal display. On the outskirts of the village of Usigliano, you will also find the Museo del Presepe e delle Attività Agricole at the Antica Fattoria Castelli. The historic estate dates from the late 18th century. The museum’s connection with this site alone highlights another aspect of local history: nativity scenes and agricultural activities are viewed as part of the traditional surroundings rather than separately from them. Usigliano di Lari is also included in the Via dei Presepi of Casciana Terme Lari. This provides another cultural point of reference for your travel planning if you are interested in nativity art and regional traditions. The Sagra Usiglianese reached its 25th edition in Usigliano and is therefore also one of the documented connections to local festival culture.

Churches, Palaces and Local History

Several clearly identified buildings provide historical orientation. The Chiesa di San Lorenzo Martire was built in the 18th century next to the original 13th-century church. On May 1, 1707, it was consecrated by Francesco Maria Poggi, the bishop of San Miniato. The restoration made the Chiesa di San Lorenzo Martire accessible again and enabled its inclusion in the tourist routes of the municipality of Casciana Terme Lari. Palazzo Upezzinghi is located on the church square in Usigliano. The surviving palace of the same name is associated with the presence of the influential Upezzinghi family in Usigliano. Another religious building is located in Sala di Usigliano: the Cappella di San Rocco is a 19th-century religious building on Via della Montanina. These places represent different historical layers. During a walk, you can therefore distinguish between ecclesiastical history, architecture shaped by the nobility and later buildings, rather than reducing the history of the village to a single monument. The specific names and dates give each stop its own character.

Paths through the Landscape

In the area around Usigliano, there are paths through the vineyards and olive groves of the Pisan Hills. This connection with the landscape adds a quieter, rural perspective to the cultural themes. If you would like to divide your days in Tuscany between sightseeing and experiences in nature, Usigliano can therefore be explored not only through its museums and historic buildings, but also through the paths in its surroundings. Further destinations for your Tuscany research: [Santa Luce](Santa Luce), [Palaia](Palaia), [Lajatico](Lajatico), [Pisa](Pisa), [Vecchiano](Vecchiano), [Casciana Alta](Casciana Alta), [Montecatini Val Di Cecina](Montecatini Val Di Cecina), [Guardistallo](Guardistallo).

Return to the main travel overview: Pisa.