Discover Piteglio: Churches, History and Chestnut Culture

Piteglio is a destination for you if you do not want to experience history, landscapes and regional products separately. The town lies between the valleys of the Torbecchia and Liesina rivers and overlooks the Val di Lima. At the same time, it preserves traces of an ancient history of transport and settlement: an important trans-Apennine road ran through the Val di Lima, connecting Pistoia with the Garfagnana. This combination of valley views, historic trails and established townscapes gives Piteglio a distinct cultural character.

Churches and historical landmarks

The Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta dates back to the 13th century. It was rebuilt in the second half of the 17th century and again in the 19th century. Its square bell tower points to an earlier function as a watchtower and adds an indication of the town’s former importance to its religious history. The Pieve Vecchia, also known as the Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata, has been documented since 1040 and has a simple single-nave layout with a semicircular apse. An external pulpit can be reached via a stone staircase. The Pieve Vecchia currently hosts exhibitions or cultural events, thereby combining a historic building with contemporary culture. The chapel of the Madonna del Latte in Piteglio houses the relic of the holy milk in a large wooden altar structure dating from the 17th century. This provides you with an insight into different forms of religious art and tradition, without limiting the historical evidence to a single period.

Archaeology, ancient trails and the surrounding area

The Rio delle Lame archaeological site is located in the Podere Fontana district of Piteglio. It comprises ten rectangular and circular structures that are more than one metre high. The site adds an archaeological dimension to the churches and medieval traces. Extensive sections of the original paving from various historical periods have been uncovered along the Valle Lune route. In addition, a trail rediscovered by the Valle Lune association runs through the area of San Marcello and Piteglio. In the area around Piteglio, the Ponte di Castruccio was built over the Lima River by Castruccio Castracani (1281–1328), a military commander and lord of Lucca. In his time, the river formed the border between Lucca and Pistoia. Two customs buildings, known as “le due dogane”, once stood beside the bridge. They formerly controlled the movement of goods and people between Lucca and Pistoia. The customs function is therefore explicitly part of the town’s history and not a present-day use.

Chestnuts and typical products

Chestnut cultivation was an economic foundation in Piteglio for centuries. The chestnut was regarded as the “bread tree” and was an important food and economic resource for the mountain population. This history also shapes the regional range of products: chestnuts, mushrooms, blueberries and cheese are considered typical products of Piteglio. Those who wish to take regional produce into account alongside culture when choosing a destination will therefore find a clearly defined culinary profile here.

A townscape with medieval traces

In the 11th and 12th centuries, Piteglio was a fortified castle under Pistoian control. Architectural evidence from this period can still be found today in the old houses along the narrow streets leading to the town centre. Together with the churches, historic trails and landmarks along the Lima River, this creates a townscape that is particularly understood through specific buildings and traditional functions. For further destination options, you can also discover Lanciole, Crespole and Popiglio.

For the main travel overview: Pistoia.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Buggiano, San Marcello Pistoiese, Panicagliora, Castagno, Lizzanello.