Holiday apartment in Montecatini Val Di Cecina: History and Trails
Montecatini Val Di Cecina combines historic buildings in the town center with mining heritage and trails through hilly landscapes.
Churches, Squares, and Medieval Traces
Piazza Garibaldi in the historic center is home to the Romanesque Church of San Biagio and the 14th-century Palazzo Pretorio. San Biagio was built around 1356 under the direction of Ugolino Guducci and Ciullo Barletti and consecrated in 1361. Inside are two marble angels attributed to Mino da Fiesole, as well as two terracotta statues by Della Robbia. The figures depict San Biagio and San Sebastiano.
The Torre dei Belforti is almost 30 meters high; its walls are 3.20 meters thick at the base and, in the lower section, are divided by horizontal bands of white Alberese limestone. Two openings running through the walls are aligned with different structures: one with the Mastio di Volterra and the other with the Rocca Sillina.
La Fontana, a monumental fountain, stands in Piazza della Repubblica. In 1887, the municipal council decided to demolish the chapel that stood there and build the fountain; La Fontana was constructed in 1893.
Mining History in the Alta Val di Cecina
The Palazzo Pretorio houses the Documentation Center for the resources and activities associated with the subsoil of the Alta Val di Cecina in the historic center. The Caporciano mine opened in 1827 after sporadic copper deposits had been reported in the area near the castle southwest of Montecatini. La Miniera contains the entrance to the galleries, the administrative buildings, and the Pozzo Alfredo.
The Museo delle Miniere is connected to a mining experience that leads from the first 19th-century mine shaft to the Pozzo Alfredo. Its shaft is 320 meters deep. The experience also includes part of the main gallery, “pancia della balena.” From the mining area, a marked trail leads to the Il Muraglione dam.
Cycling Route, Walking Trail, and Views
The circular cycling route “Etruschi e miniere tra Volterra e Montecatini Val di Cecina” connects Volterra and Montecatini Val di Cecina. It passes through hilly landscapes, wild erosion gullies, and balze, and heads toward Montecatini through rocky, steep terrain. The final section reaches Montecatini Val di Cecina after a challenging climb with switchbacks and panoramic views across increasingly rugged and rocky terrain.
The walking trail to Poggio alla Croce begins in the medieval center of Montecatini, leads to the Oratorio Santa Barbara, and reaches the summit with the iron cross erected by the miners.
From Poggio alla Croce, the view extends over the sea and the side facing Volterra as far as the upper Cecina Valley.
Holiday Apartment in Montecatini Val Di Cecina for Different Types of Vacation Days
Piazza Garibaldi, San Biagio, and the Palazzo Pretorio are located in the town center. La Miniera, Caporciano, and the trail to the Il Muraglione dam are part of Montecatini Val Di Cecina’s mining history.
For further orientation in the surrounding area, you can also find Sassa, Querceto and Ponteginori.
For the overarching travel overview: Pisa.
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