The Pescia River divides the historic town into two areas: the cathedral defines the religious quarter, while the town hall marks the civic quarter. This layout offers two perspectives on Pescia’s history. Other highlights include papermaking in Pietrabuona, art and storytelling in Collodi, and gardens with clearly recognizable design elements.

Townscape and historic buildings

The Duomo di Pescia as it stands today dates back to its complete reconstruction in 1684. The Palagio offers a glimpse of another era: it was once the seat of the Podestà, and its oldest building core dates to the 13th century. The Gipsoteca Libero Andreotti is located in the Palagio. Pescia therefore brings together a cathedral dated to a reconstruction and a building with a medieval core—different ways of exploring the town’s religious and civic history.

Paper history and Pinocchio

The Museo della Carta di Pescia is located in Pietrabuona at Cartiera Le Carte, an 18th-century paper mill. It presents the process of making paper from rags. A visit to the Museo della Carta includes Cartiera Le Carte and the Sala Filigrane of the Archivio Storico Magnani. Together, they bring the papermaking site and an archival collection area into focus.

In Collodi, Pescia, the Parco di Pinocchio combines art and nature in a themed children’s park designed as a fairytale trail. In the Paese dei Balocchi area, 21 bronze sculptures by Pietro Consagra depict characters, scenes and settings from the story. The Percorso Monumentale is considered Italy’s first art park. Other experiences include the Museo Interattivo di Pinocchio, with games inspired by the puppet’s adventures, and the Laboratorio delle Parole e delle Figure, with exhibitions on children’s illustration and educational workshops.

Nature is also part of the attractions in Collodi: the Casa delle Farfalle is a covered tropical garden where hundreds of butterflies from equatorial and tropical regions fly freely among plants, flowers and fruit. The Parco di Pinocchio also offers two adventure courses for younger visitors. Their features include suspension bridges, balance sections, logs, planks and a spectacular zip line over the river.

Gardens and tastings

The garden of Villa Garzoni is laid out on terraces along a central axis of symmetry. Paths lead to a bamboo grove and a maze. The axis and terraces give the garden an orderly design, while the two destinations along the paths add contrasting accents. At the Giardino degli Agrumi di Pescia, visitors can sample citrus marmalades. An expert from the business accompanies them during the visit.

Routes and cultural events

The designated routes vary in activity and course. In Pescia, the Sentiero della Bonifica Lungo Pescia is designated as an easy mountain biking route, while the Sentiero Valleriana 49A is rated as an easy trekking route. In Pietrabuona, the Sentiero Valleriana 55 is designated as an easy trekking route. Another option is the Via della Fiaba loop: it starts and ends in the center of Pescia and follows a medieval road connecting Pescia and Collodi.

For a longer hike in the Svizzera Pesciatina, a route connects the ten Castella. It starts in Pietrabuona, follows the Pescia River and takes about six hours. Allow enough time for this regional excursion. The Palio degli Arcieri offers a different cultural date to plan around: it takes place every year on September 1 in honor of the town’s patron saint, Santa Dorotea. If your trip falls on this date, your stay will coincide with the festival.

Discover more destinations: Monte A Pescia, Pietrabuona, Vellano, Collodi, Fibbialla, Aramo, Castelvecchio, San Quirico, Sorana.

For the overview of the wider area: Pistoia.