Discover Rovaci: Rural Tuscany and Culture

Rovaci is a rural settlement in the agroforestry sub-system of the Montagna Pistoiese, in the municipality of Marliana. The name brings together agriculture and woodland within a rural landscape. Marliana lies where the Valdinievole meets the Pistoia Mountains. For your plans in Tuscany, this sets a rural tone: Rovaci is a different base from a trip focused mainly on art cities or the coast. If you are considering Rovaci as a place to stay, ask yourself whether landscapes and rural culture should be the focus of your trip.

Churches and historic sites

The old Church of San Leonardo stands in the fortified village of Serra Pistoiese. The ruins of the ancient Pieve di Sant'Andrea di Furfalo, also known as La Pievaccia, lie on Serra Pistoiese’s southeastern slope. In Emperor Otto III’s diploma of 998, the Pieve is named Plebs de Furfalo among the churches under the authority of the Bishop of Pistoia. San Leonardo anchors the village’s religious heritage in its fortified setting; the Pieve’s ruins, nickname and historical name add to the story of the place.

Farming culture and a festival

The Marliana Museum of Rural Culture offers a different perspective. It displays old agricultural tools, including a chaff cutter, a seed drill and a plough; some are still in working order. These objects bring farming practices to life. The fact that some still work adds a technical perspective to the historical one. The Cantar Maggio festival is also held in the municipality of Marliana. Local people perform traditional songs and dances, and food-related activities are also part of the celebrations. As an annual event, the festival differs from the churches and tools on display; dates and programme vary. Check the event dates if you would like to plan your trip around it.

Necci and the landscape

In Momigno, a craftsperson makes the stone slabs used to prepare necci by hand. Necci are flat cakes made from chestnut flour; here, the dish and the handmade slab go together. This makes the culinary tradition tangible not only through the food itself, but also through the craft associated with it. The hills of Marliana add a landscape dimension to rural culture: gentle slopes planted with vines and olive trees. A trip to Tuscany can give these aspects different weight—on one hand, a named dish and its craft; on the other, hills shaped by agriculture.

Exploring by bike

There is also a specific route for an active outing: a mountain-bike trail through the Marliana area passes through the Montagnana forest and by medieval walls at the village entrance. The route combines woodland scenery and historic traces for a cycling excursion. As trail conditions can change, check them before setting out. This makes cycling a distinct activity to consider alongside the churches, museum and festival.

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