Villages - Page 4

Moving along to the southern part of the province of Pisa, we come across the Val di Cecina and its extraordinary landscape. Following the roads and the ancient tracks that criss-cross this vast territory we find ourselves faced with a breathtaking sight: the bare slopes of the hills give way to the "calanchi" and "biancane" formations, the vast wooded areas turn into Volterra's balze (cliffs) as the charming landscape makes way for the geothermal area.

And it is precisely the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside that characterizes villages such as Guardistallo, the town of a thousand nativity scenes, Montescudaio and Casale Marittimo. Recent archaeological excavations in the surrounding area have brought to light the remains of a 7th-century B.C. Etruscan village, as well as the necropolis of Casa Nocera, a burial complex for Etruscan warriors. We recommend a visit to villages of Montecatini Val di Cecina, dominated by the Belforti Tower, and Pomarance, with the fortress Rocca Sillana and noble buildings such as Casa Bicocchi and Palazzo Ricci.

Castelnuovo Val di Cecina is a hillside hamlet that features an unmistakable "bunch of grapes" shape. The environs feature a varied landscape that ranges from a mountainous environment to the Mediterranean scrub to then become hilly again, with vineyards and olive groves.