Pescia - Pescia

Disambiguation - For toponyms of identical name, see Pescia (disambiguation).

Pescia is a city of Tuscany in the province of Pistoia.

To know

Pescia is renowned for floriculture and for the flower trade, for the hamlet of Collodi, the place where Carlo Lorenzini (or Carlo Collodi, the writer of Pinocchio) spent part of his childhood.

Geographical notes

The city of Pescia, the north-eastern limit of the Piana di Lucca and the north-west border of the Valdinievole, is located in the province of Pistoia in Tuscany northern, between Lucca is Florence, on the banks of the Pescia stream.

When to go

There is no better time to visit the city. Despite this, in the winter months it is also possible to find snow-covered areas near Switzerland Pesciatina and it is possible to ski and snowboard on the slopes of Abetone (51 km from Pescia); in summer it is instead to practice other activities, such as trekking or picnics.

Background

Thanks to archaeological finds it has been possible to establish that Pescia was founded by the Lombards.

The city was involved in the clashes between Guelphs and Ghibellines and in 1281 it was destroyed. During the Middle Ages Florence is Lucca they fought over the city which came under the dominion of Florence.

During the Second World War the city was severely damaged because it was close to the Gothic Line and all its bridges were mined and destroyed by the Germans.

How to orient yourself

In the territory of Pescia there are "Le Dieci Castella" of Pietrabuona, Medicina, Fibbialla, Aramo, San Quirico, Castelvecchio, Stiappa, Pontito, Sorana and Vellano: these places are perched on the pre-Apennine hills that Giovan Carlo Leonardo Sismondi called "Svizzera Pesciatina "for the resemblance to the mountains of his native land. These ancient localities all have a well-defined pattern: they are exposed to the south, are protected by walls (in many cases destroyed) and a watchtower which over time has seen its function change into a residence or bell tower.

Also noteworthy is the fraction of Collodi, located west of the municipal center and awarded an orange flag by TCI (Italian touring club).

Other important localities, located in the flat area south of Pescia: Alberghi and Castellare (now in fact welded to the capital), Chiodo, Macchie di San Piero, Pescia Morta, Ponte all'Abate, Veneri, Zei.

For more information contacttouristic office, Via Fratelli Rosselli 2, ☎ 39 0572 490919, fax: 39 0572 499933, @[email protected]. Open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 and on Tuesdays and Thursdays also in the afternoon from 14:00 to 17:00. 

Neighborhoods

The Old Town di Pescia is divided into four districts that compete in the Palio dei Rioni in September:

1. Ferraia - Includes Piazza Mazzini, Ruga degli Orlandi, Piazza Santo Stefano.
2. Saint Francis - Includes Piazza San Francesco, via Cesare Battisti, Ricciano.
3. Saint Mary - It includes Piazzetta Ducci (popularly known as "Sdrucciolo del Duomo"), via Giuseppe Giusti, via Giovanni XXIII.
4. San Micheal - Includes Borgo della Vittoria, via Giovanni Amendola, Casacce.

How to get

By plane

The nearest airports are those of Pisa is Florence (both 50 km from Pescia).

By car

From the north or from southItaly take the and exit a Florence. Then take the and exit a Chiesina Uzzanese (5 km from Pescia) or a Montecatini Terme (8 km from Pescia), from there take the signs for Pescia.

On boat

From the port of Piombino you hate Livorno take the , then continue to the and exit a Chiesina Uzzanese.

On the train

Take the Firenze Santa Maria Novella line-Viareggio or Florence Santa Maria Novella-Lucca and get off at Pescia station.

By bus

Pescia is connected with Lucca is Pistoia from the lines of the consortium CTT NORTH.

How to get around

At theGalaxy Animation Cultural Association (near the Simonetti Schools, in the stretch of river that goes from the Sforzini footbridge to the Duomo bridge.), ☎ 39 345 6628765, 39 339 7437380, 39 338 7480155.  it is possible to rent bicycles.

By public transport

Once there was the tramway, today unfortunately it no longer exists. On the other hand, there is a bus service; in fact there are 8 Lazzi lines:

• Line 701: Montecatini Terme - Borgo a Buggiano - Ponte Buggianese - Chiesina Uzzanese - Hotels Zei - Pescia.
• Line 702: Montecatini Terme - Traversagna - Ponte Buggianese - Chiesina Uzzanese - Hotels Zei - Pescia.
• Line 703: Montecatini Terme - Covered Margin - Borgo a Buggiano - Santa Lucia - Pescia.
• Line U803: Pescia - Ricciano - Portici - Veneri - Ponte all'Abate - Collodi.
• Line P804: Pescia - Pietrabuona - Stiappa - Pontito - Lanciole - Calamecca - Casa di Monte.
• Line P805: Pescia - Pietrabuona - Fibbialla - Medicina - Aramo - Castelvecchio - Stiappa.
• Line P806: Pescia - Pietrabuona - Sorana Bridge - Sorana.
• Line P858: Pescia - Pietrabuona - Vellano - Goraiolo.

By taxi

• Pescia Taxi Municipality Of Pescia, Via Della Stazione, 9 (near the station.), ☎ 39 0572 444474. Taxi Service Station. 

By car

City traffic is never particularly chaotic, so for those who choose the car as a means of transport there will be no traffic problems. The only problem concerns the parking lots, as they are all paid, with the exception of two (one of which along the river) near the Lidl supermarket.

What see

Palaces and villas

• Vicar's Palace. With its bell tower dating back to the century. XIII-XIV, current seat of the town hall. 
• Palagio (Palazzo del Podestà). Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, it is now the seat of the "Libero Andreotti" Gipsoteca. 
• Villa Sismondi. Seat of the municipal library. 
• Garzoni Villa and Garden (Collodi). Dating back to the century. XVI. 
• Villa La Guardatoria (Collecchio). From the seventeenth century belonging to the Cecchi family. 

Modern architecture

• Old Flower Market. It is linked to the themes of post-World War II Italian rationalism. Designed by a team of architects directed by Leonardo Savioli and Leonardo Ricci and built in 1951. 
• Comicent. Current headquarters of the flower market, designed in 1968 and built near the city railway station. 
• Former Casa del Fascio (State Archives), piazza XX Settembre, ☎ 39 0572 477261, @[email protected]. Mon-Wed 8: 45-13: 45 and 14: 45-17: 45 Tue-Thu-Fri 8: 45-13: 45. 

Churches

• Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Duomo). 
• Church of Saints Andrea and Lucia (Pontito). 
• Church of the Santissima Annunziata. 
• Church of the Madonna di Pie 'di Piazza. 
• Church of San Matteo (Pietrabuona). 
• Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Castellare. 
• Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. 
• Church of San Michele Arcangelo. 
• Church of Santi Quirico and Giulitta (Venus). 
• Church of San Francesco. Inside the church of San Francesco there is an altarpiece by the Lucca painter Bonaventura Berlinghieri, painted in 1235 and representing six episodes from the life of San Francesco d 'Assisi. An interesting detail of this painting is that it turns out to be one of the very few made by a contemporary of the Saint who has come down to us; it is therefore believed that this work can represent an image close to the original one of the Saint. 
• Church of Saints Stefano and Niccolao. 
• Church of San Bartolomeo (Collodi). 
• Parish church of Saints Ansano and Tommaso in Castelvecchio (Castelvecchio). 
• Parish church of Saints Bartolomeo and Andrea. 
• Parish church of San Quirico. 
• Parish church of Saints Martino and Sisto in Vellano (Vellano). 

Museums

• Civic Museum of Natural Sciences and Archeology of Valdinievole, Leonardo da Vinci square. Currently the museum is closed pending a new arrangement. 
• Libero Andreotti Gispoteca (In the Palazzo del Podestà). 
• Paper Museum, Piazza della Croce, 1 (Pietrabuona), ☎ 39 0572 408020, fax: 39 0572 408008, @[email protected]. Mon-Thu 9: 30-12: 30 Sat 9: 30-13: 30. 
• Pinacoteca di San Michele, Matteotti Square. 

Other

• Pinocchio Park (Collodi). Designed by Pietro Porcinai with works by Emilio Greco (Pinocchio and the Fairy), Venturino Venturi (Piazzetta dei Mosaici), Pietro Consagra (the Carabiniere, the Cat and the Fox and the Snake), Marco Zanuso and Augusto (Bobo) Piccoli (the Great Shark). Outside the park, Giovanni Michelucci designed the structure where the Osteria del Gambero Rosso restaurant is located. 
• Giovanni Pacini Municipal Theater, Piazza San Francesco 9, ☎ 39 0572 490049. Designed by the Pesciatino architect Giovanni Antonio Tani in 1717 and then renovated several times. 

Events and parties

• Palio dei Rioni. Every first Sunday of September. Archery competition with its historical court. 
• New Year's concert, Municipal Theater "G. Pacini". January 1st of each year. 
• Pescia Antiqua, Piazza Mazzini and Piazza del Grano. every 4th Sunday of the month except July and December. antiques, traditions, culture and shows, short food chain, cartArte, open shops. 
• Porta Fiorentina Fair, Duomo district. Palm Sunday. 
• Festivals of May and Medieval Pescia, in the four districts. May. civil and religious celebrations. 
• Chestnut Festival, San Michele district. November month. 

What to do

To get a local view of the town of Pescia you can visit the site pescia.iltuopaese.com where you can search for utilities but also offer services and products for citizens or tourists. The site is great for those unfamiliar with the city and want to do a search or post an advertisement. For information on the site, contact the administrator at the email [email protected].

Shopping

• Zero-kilometer agro-food market "Campagna Amica", Piazza dei Fiori. every Tuesday morning. 
• Weekly markets, Piazza Mazzini and Piazza del Grano. every Saturday morning. 
• Ipercoop (Montecatini Shopping Center), Via Biscolla, 48, ☎ 39 0572 7761, fax: 39 0572 776201. Closed on Sundays. The shopping center is located in Massa e Cozzile (7km from Pescia) and inside it has a supermarket and other shops. 

How to have fun

Night clubs

• La Buca Gasthaus, Piazza Mazzini, 4, ☎ 39 0572 477339, @[email protected]. Closed on Sundays. Open as a pub at 20.00. 

Where to eat

Average prices

• Ancient paper mill (Saint Lawrence), Via San Lorenzo, 15, ☎ 39 0572 408340, fax: 39 0572 408333, @[email protected]. Closed on Mondays. 
• ^{[link not working]}Atman restaurant, Via Roma, 4, ☎ 39 0572 1903678, @[email protected]. 
• Restaurant-Pizzeria Bistrot, Borgo G. Matteotti, 1 (Vellano), ☎ 39 0572 409159. Closed on Mondays from November to April. 
• Restaurant - Pizzeria Da Carla, Via Ponte di Sorana, 39/41 (Sorana), ☎ 39 0572 400080. Closed Wednesday evening and Thursday. 
• From Nero, Via Mammianese, 153 (Pietrabuona), ☎ 39 0572 408144, @[email protected]. Closed on Wednesday. Seasonal: November. 
• The Campanile, Via G. Giusti, 5, ☎ 39 327 3162007. Closed on Tuesday. Toscan kitchen. 
• From Sandrino, Via Ponte di Sorana, 26/30 (Sorana), ☎ 39 0572 407014. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 
• Trattoria Manero, borgo matteotti 17, 51017 Vellano, Tuscany, Italy, ☎ 39 3471738259, @[email protected]. 25-30€. Always open for lunch, rest on Thursday. 
• The Pinocchio Cellar, Via Pasquinelli, 4 (Collodi locality), ☎ 39 0572 428634, 39 339 831 1766, @[email protected]. Wed-Sun. Tuscan cuisine, Meat-Fish-Pizza 

Where stay

Average prices

• Villa delle Rose, Via del Castellare, 21, ☎ 39 0572 4670, fax: 39 0572 444003, @[email protected]. 
• Village hotel San Lorenzo Hotel and Residence Santa Caterina, Via Mammianese, ☎ 39 0572 408340, fax: 39 0572 408333, @[email protected]. 
• ^{[link not working]}Flower hotel, Via 8 Settembre, 10, ☎ 39 0572 477871, fax: 39 0572 490021. 

Safety

In case of emergency, you can contact the following numbers:

• Carabinieri of Pescia, Via Benedetto Cairoli 27, ☎ 39 0572 477923. 

How to keep in touch

Post office

• Pescia post office, Via Europa 20 / E, ☎ 39 0572 494351, fax: 39 0572 478317. Open Monday to Friday from 8.20am to 7.05pm, Saturdays from 8.20am to 12.35pm. For more information visit the website poste.it. 

Around

• Trekking along the Pescia valley: a splendid itinerary on foot or by mountain bike following the rivers of the Valdinievole.
• Paper Museum a Pietrabuona.
• Switzerland Pesciatina and "The ten Castella".
• Collodi: castle, Parish of San Bartolomeo and Park of Pinocchio.
• Possibility to visit the other municipalities of the Valdinievole: Montecatini Terme, Monsummano Terme, Buggianese bridge, Chiesina Uzzanese, Larciano, Lamporecchio, Buggiano, Uzzano, Massa and Cozzile is Pieve a Nievole.

Itineraries

• Itinerary 1: The Cathedral of Santa Maria.
• Itinerary 2: The Prato di San Francesco.
• Itinerary 3: La Ferraia. The Ancient Pescia.
• Itinerary 4: The Piazza Grande.
• Itinerary 5: From the Borgo to the Old Flower Market.
• Itinerary 6: Colleviti, Il Monte a Pescia and the New Flower Market.
• Itinerary 7: Collodi, the town of Pinocchio.
• Itinerary 8: La Valleriana.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Pescia
• Commons contains images or other files on Pescia

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