Peccioli, in the province of Pisa (Tuscany), stands on the Valdera hills, from which the bell tower dominates Parish Church of San Verano, the work of the architect Bellincioni. Loved by Italian and foreign tourists, the village is considered among the most beautiful in Italy thanks to its wonderful hilly landscapes in which its hamlets extend (Fabbrica, Legoli, Libbiano, with an important astronomical observatory, Montelopio, Ghizzano).
Awarded the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club, Peccioli boasts an interesting museum complex which includes the archaeological Museum. It contains the finds discovered in the excavations of the Etruscan site of Ortaglia and the medieval site of Santa Mustiola di Ghizzano.
A country with a thousand resources
Peccioli hosts important artistic-cultural events, including the Eleven Moon Festival and meetings with journalists and opinion leaders of national importance. The new part and the historic center of the town are connected by a panoramic steel walkway transformed into an authentic work of art by Patrick Tuttofuoco, In 2020.
The work is called “Endless Sunset”. The artist wrapped the 72 meter long walkway with a continuous stainless steel "ribbon", which reproduces the colors of the sunset and alludes to the circularity of time. It is also worth visiting Timeless Palace, with its panoramic terrace and the various exhibitions hosted in the halls.
The roots of Peccioli lie in an agricultural past, still visible today in these places, thanks to the presence of wineries and oil mills, farms and agritourisms. The area is appreciated for the production of extra virgin olive oil and wine.
Huge “Presences” in the open-air museum
Peccioli truly offers a lot in artistic, historical and landscape terms. However, what is striking more than anything else is the presence of gigantic sculptures. These are enormous humanoid structures called "Presences", created in 2011 by the group Naturaliter. The works symbolize rebirth from waste. The idea that inspired their creation is that new life can be born from waste. The sculptures, in polystyrene and expanded polyurethane, are covered in cement fibers resistant to external agents. Over the years they have been placed around the Green Triangle, inside the Legoli waste disposal and treatment plant.
The landfill is now a multipurpose center where, in addition to creating clean energy from waste disposal, conferences, fashion shows and concerts are hosted in the beautiful amphitheater. The same experience was replicated atFonte Mazzola Amphitheatre. Finally, a fourth sculpture is placed above the roof of theBusiness incubator, in the locality of “La Fila” to welcome tourists. The history of the Giants of Peccioli dates back several decades, when a group of visionary artists decided to transform this quiet village into an open-air art gallery.
The first statue was created way back in 1968 and since then numerous other works have been added. Another unmissable place for those visiting Peccioli is the Prehistoric Park, of approximately three hectares of greenery. It houses 22 life-size replicas of dinosaurs and a path that allows you to discover how primitive men lived.
(Photo: Municipality of Peccioli, Facebook page)
