Holiday Apartment in Mazzolla: Church, Art and Berignone

Mazzolla between history and vibrant local culture

Mazzolla brings together historic architecture, contemporary art and authentic Italian everyday experiences within a compact area. A fixed date in the annual calendar is the Festa di Mazzolla on 10 August. It is celebrated every year in honour of the patron saint San Lorenzo and now also welcomes tourists and visitors. The Festa features Pappardelle al cinghiale as well as dishes made with local products from the immediate surrounding area.

A walk through the lanes of Mazzolla to the Piazza leads to the Church of San Lorenzo. The Romanesque building has a single-nave layout, a rafter roof and a gabled façade. The church is mentioned in documents from 1276; a baptismal font was installed there in 1579. For exploring together with children or taking a quieter cultural break, this route offers specific historical points of interest without requiring an extensive programme.

The Villa Giorgi Viti also tells the story of several eras. It is a residence of the Viti family and combines styles ranging from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The oldest core stands on the remains of Etruscan-Roman structures. The estate includes a walled garden with two 16th-century defensive towers. In 1975, a scene from the RAI series “La Donna Velata” was also filmed there.

Art and books as special discoveries

In Mazzolla, Mauro Staccioli created the bright red arch “Attraversando la storia”. The work highlighted the medieval wall of the Church of San Lorenzo. The original work was faithfully reconstructed in 2022; the reconstructed work was donated to the Museo Archivio Mauro Staccioli. A route of more than 90 kilometres featuring installations by Mauro Staccioli also passed through Mazzolla.

Libreria il Circolino opened on 26 June 2026 as Mazzolla’s first bookshop. In its third and fourth sections, it offers a carefully selected range of fiction in English and French. Libreria Umana in Borgo Mazzolla was held for the third time after editions in June 2024 and June 2025. In this format, the audience can listen to the story of each human book, ask questions, comment and share memories. One edition presented the experiences of an alabaster worker, a truffle hunter, a cook, a cheesemaker and a person involved in salt production.

Cycling tours, forest trails and views

For active days, the view extends beyond the village towards the Berignone Nature Reserve. From Mazzolla, a trekking tour can continue along forest paths to the ruins of fortresses and castles. The cycling tour “Ciclotour della Riserva Naturale di Berignone e Tatti” begins in medieval Mazzolla, crosses the Fosci and leads into the Berignone Nature Reserve. At the heart of Berignone, it reaches the Torraccia, also known as Castello dei Vescovi.

A paved route from Volterra to San Gimignano is designated for car journeys and cycling tours and passes through Mazzolla. The road connecting the SR 68 with Mazzolla offers impressive views of the Calanchi. The planned Berignone Crossing Trail was intended to start in Mazzolla and run through the Berignone forest. The different routes therefore give you an idea of whether you would prefer to spend your days exploring local history, taking a cycling tour or going hiking.

Local cuisine and a suitable base

The culinary selection includes Nuova Trattoria Albana and Pizzeria Erta Terra. Nuova Trattoria Albana has been in operation for more than 60 years and selects ingredients from local producers. Pizzeria Erta Terra bakes its pizzas in a wood-fired oven; its terrace offers expansive views of the Berignone Nature Reserve.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Mazzolla, the focus is therefore primarily on the combination of lanes, church, art, book formats, local cuisine and the designated or described routes to Berignone. You can tailor your stay to the interests of your travel group: a festival day with regional dishes, historic sites around San Lorenzo, art by Mauro Staccioli or outdoor activities between the Calanchi and forest trails.

More places for planning your trip: Prato D'era, Villamagna, Saline, Pignano.

For the main travel overview: Volterra.