The history of Montecatini Val di Cecina lies in the copper mines of Camporciano, which was exploited as early as Etruscan times and remained in activity until 1907. The extraction activity contributed greatly to the development of the area and its closure led to a severe economical-social crisis.

Whilst strolling among the small streets of the lovely historical centre visitors come across Piazza del Castello under the watchful eye of the imposing 11th century Belforti Tower with a quadrangular base, no battlements and a thick dark and light bricked wall. The tower was owned by the Volterra families Belforti, Pannocchieschi and Inghirami and was the base of the Captains of Volterra and then Florence before passing to the French barons de Rochefort. Two open cross perforations act as telescopes toward the fortresses, Mastio di Volterra, and the Rocca Sillana.

The same square is lined with the Church of San Biagio and the 14th century Palazzo Pretorio, today the base of the Centre of Documentation and an integral part of a circuit that includes the mining site of Caporciano and the Mining Museum.

Some of the originally medieval hamlets in the surrounding area are well worth visiting. An international piano festival is held each summer in Castello di Querceto; Sassa, perched on the spur of a hill, offers marvellous views; Miemo is noted as a wild boar, mouflon and roe deer breeding zone.

Of all of these events the food and culinary events are particularly appealing, such as I sapori della valle (Flavours of the valley) in May, the Settembre Montecatinese and Colori e sapori di un antico paese (Colours and flavours of an olden town) in Sassa in mid-August.

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