Monte a Pescia: Hilltop Village, Churches and Historic Paths

Monte a Pescia is an ancient hilltop village at an elevation of 319 metres, overlooking the valley of the Pescia River. The village combines a distinctive hilltop setting with several independent examples of religious, artistic and historical significance. This creates a destination where a visit to the village can be experienced not only through the views, but also through specific buildings and old paths.

Churches and History on the Hilltop

At the top of the hill stands the Romanesque provost church of Saints Bartholomew and Andrew. Its history dates back a long way: the parish church of Saints Bartholomew and Andrew already appears in the Lucca tax assessment register of 1260. Inside, the main altar features a reliquary containing a Holy Thorn. If you are interested in religious art and the accumulated history of Tuscan villages, several different points of interest come together here in one place. Another special feature is preserved in the Church of San Bartolomeo in Monte a Pescia. It houses a polychrome glazed terracotta statue of its patron saint, attributed to Luca della Robbia the Younger. This attribution remains part of the traditional classification and should not be changed into a more certain statement about its authorship. This cultural profile is complemented by the chapel of the Compagnia dell’Opera di San Bartolomeo e Andrea. The tomb of the composer Giovanni Pacini is located there. The village’s former strategic importance is also part of its history. Monte a Pescia occupied a strategic position because a possible advance against the Bareglia fortress could be detected in time to prevent an attack. The village therefore represents not only ecclesiastical art, but also a location that once served observation and defence purposes.

Paths on Foot and Through the Countryside

Several specific path connections are documented for exploring the area on foot. CAI Trail 251A leads from the Church of Santo Stefano in Pescia via Cafaggio and Barignano to Monte a Pescia. This places the village within a documented route with a clearly named starting point and several specified stops. The Via della Fiaba is an old road and mule track from Pescia to Collodi. It is marked with the white-and-red CAI-51 signs. Those interested in historic routes will find a second named connection here, with its own direction and markings. In addition, a guided walk to Monte a Pescia follows the old mule track and is led by an ASC guide. The guided excursion to Monte a Pescia lasts one hour and 15 minutes.

Visiting and Getting There

The access information distinguishes between the village and visiting the church. Monte a Pescia is accessible by car. The Church of Saints Bartholomew and Andrew in Monte a Pescia can be visited by car with prior reservation. If you would like to include this church visit in your stay, prior reservation is therefore expressly part of the described visiting arrangements. You can also include Pietrabuona (Pietrabuona), Aramo (Aramo), San Quirico (San Quirico), Fibbialla (Fibbialla), Vellano (Vellano), Castelvecchio (Castelvecchio), Collodi (Collodi) and Sorana (Sorana) in your wider travel plans.

For the overarching travel overview: Pescia.