Holiday apartment in Piastre: the history of ice, trails and local festivals

Piastre represents a blend of history, trails and local traditions. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Piastre, the area’s history offers a distinctive starting point: Le Piastre was founded by Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo during the construction of the trans-Apennine road. The Itinerario del Ghiaccio traces the history of natural ice production in the Pistoia Mountains from the end of the 18th century to the first decades of the 20th century. This creates a travel theme that combines historical curiosity with outdoor activities.

Holiday apartment in Piastre: history and trails

The Itinerario del Ghiaccio can be explored independently on foot or with a GAE environmental hiking guide. Another specific trail idea is La Valle del Ghiaccio. This circular trail starts and ends at the Fontana Campari near the Le Piastre pass on Via Modenese. When choosing a holiday apartment in Piastre, you can therefore consider whether to include an independent route, a guided hike or a circular trail with the same starting and finishing point in your plans.

The Fontana Campari in Le Piastre is one of three surviving fountains from a series created around 1930. The Ghiacciaia della Madonnina is also closely connected with the history of natural ice production: it has a truncated-cone shape and a thatched roof. Such architectural details give the subject of ice production a tangible form and make the circular trail interesting for visitors who prefer to discover historical traces in specific locations.

Church, local history and festivals in Le Piastre

The local history includes the parish of Sant'Ilario in Le Piastre. It was established in 1785 from an earlier oratory. The present-day Church of Sant'Ilario in Le Piastre dates in its design from the second half of the 19th century. At one location, you can therefore encounter two different historical reference points: the establishment of the parish in 1785 and the later design of the present-day church.

Le Piastre also maintains its own event traditions. The Italian Lying Championship, the Campionato Italiano della Bugia, takes place every year in August in Le Piastre. A culinary aspect was showcased by the traditional Sagra della Polenta Dolce on March 30, 2025, from 3 p.m.: visitors could enjoy polenta dolce, necci and sweet fritters made from chestnut flour. For your travel planning, Piastre can thus be explored through historical trails and ecclesiastical history as well as unusual local festivals and typical foods.

Landscape and culture in the surrounding area

The area around Le Piastre is protected in cooperation with the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese. The peaks Poggiobello, Monte Bersano, le Piaggete and Monte Tagliola are located in the immediate vicinity of Piastre.

There are also cultural attractions in the area around Piastre. These include the Museo dell'Ospedale del Ceppo, the Museo dell'Antico Ospedale Del Ceppo, Palazzo Panciatichi and the Museo Civico Pistoia. The two museums of the Ospedale del Ceppo, Palazzo Panciatichi and the Museo Civico Pistoia broaden the range with additional historical and cultural themes. This allows you to divide your days between the distinctive features of Le Piastre and the cultural attractions in the surrounding area in different ways.

Further places for your travel planning

Further destinations to complement your plans include Santomato, Bottegone, Arcigliano, Piteccio, Ponte Nuovo, Cireglio, Pontelungo and Sarripoli.

For the broader travel overview: Pistoia.