サンタマリアモンテの洞窟・トップ5

A medieval town with charming streets and climbs. Buildings full of history.

On the top of Monte Verruca, at 537 meters above sea level, an ancient and decaying fortress dominates the Pisan plain and the Arno valley. According to legend, there is a connection – underground and secret – between the fortress and the center of the city of Pisa.

Palaia is an ancient agricultural center of Etruscan origins, known for its historic churches and agricultural traditions. Some notable landmarks are the parish church of San Martino and the church of Sant'Andrea. Surrounding areas such as Montefoscoli and San Gervasio are home to museums displaying vintage agricultural tools and tractors. Palaia is a starting point for scenic excursions to picturesque villages such as Colleoli, Villa Saletta and Toiano. Palaia is also known for the white truffle harvest.

Forcoli is a fraction of the Italian municipality of Palaia, in the province of Pisa, whose name derives from the old "Forcole" in turn derived from Castrum Forcolae. A stop in this place from times gone by is a must.

The Verruca fortress rises in the municipality of Calci, in the province of Pisa, on the top of Monte Verruca. It can be reached by following the Firenze-Pisa highway, exiting at Cascina, then continuing towards Vicopisano. From the village, take the 'strada della Verruca' which starts from the village cemetery. Although largely unpaved, it can be traveled by car up to the foot of the rock where the Rocca stands. From here you can walk up to the top in about 20 minutes. Source: https://castellitoscani.com/verruca/

This is the Rocca del Brunelleschi, commissioned to the architect Filippo Brunelleschi after the village besieged for eight months by the Florentines, had been definitively conquered by them against the city of Pisa. The victory for Florence had been very important and had to be maintained over time: Vicopisano covered a decidedly strategic area thanks to the confluence of the Arno river which connected it to Pisa and the Auser river which put it in communication with Lake Sextum and therefore with the Lucchesia. . In 1435 the project was entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi who showed his idea to the government commission through a project made of wood and clay; the project gathered enthusiasm and work began immediately which drastically changed a large part of the town of Vicopisano. The existing tower was modified with the aim of being impregnable and autonomous in terms of water and food.

You can find information here: https://castello-forcoli.webnode.it/

A small town placed on the foot of Mount Pisano, it's know for its fortress. The fortress built in the 1435 on a project of Filippo Brunelleschi at the behest of the Florentine goverment.