What to do in Pescaglia
Welcome to Pescaglia!
The territory of Pescaglia lies on the Apuan Alps, between Lucca, the Versilia coast and the Garfagnana. The region stretches on three distinctive valleys – Val di Turrite, Valpedogna and Valfeddana. Almost the whole area is mountainous, from soft hills to the Apuan Alps. The hilly side of the district is within short distance to the city of Lucca and is characterized for its presence of olive trees and vineyards, ancient villas and Romanesque church. Woods and marvellous chestnut trees overlook the mountain part; there are many creeks and rivers present in this area – that made the iron industry develop and later the paper industry thanks to the waterpower.
The district of Pescaglia offers therefore various opportunities – excursions on foot or by horse, ideal mountain bike trails or just simple bicycle paths or just relaxing moments deep in the green hills. There are many restaurants in the area, which grant a traditional, genuine and good quality cuisine.
It is possible to stay in a holiday home of Abitare Lucca Holiday Homes.
The district of Pescaglia offers therefore various opportunities – excursions on foot or by horse, ideal mountain bike trails or just simple bicycle paths or just relaxing moments deep in the green hills. There are many restaurants in the area, which grant a traditional, genuine and good quality cuisine.
It is possible to stay in a holiday home of Abitare Lucca Holiday Homes.
Museums
Museo di Casa Puccini:
The museum of the Giacomo Puccini house is managed by the association “People from Lucca living abroad”, this association is also the owner of it. Open on appointment, phone: +39 0583-467855
The museum is located in the hamlet of Celle. The family of the Maestro Giacomo Puccini had here its origin, later they moved to the city of Lucca and this house was kept as a country home. The association converted the house into a museum in the year 1973; important items which belonged the Maestro are present, i.e. a phonograph which was a gift of T.A. Edison and the piano, on which the opera “Madama Butterfly” was composed.
Museo Nazionale del Castagno:
The national museum of Chestnut, located in the village of Colognora di Pescaglia, managed by the village. Open on appointment, phone: +39 328 57 22 956
The chestnut museum exist since 1985, it is an ethnographic museum subdivided in different topics – i.e. the production of chestnut wood and the nutrition aspect. The story of the inhabitants of this district is recalled by the conservation of some pieces. It exists also an educational path with signs illustrating the woods and traditional farming. For many Italian tourists and from the rest of the world this museum is a destination worth to visit.
Museo del Molino di Menicone:
Located in San Martino in Freddana, Menicone
Open on appointment, phone: +39 0583 39 0 90
The museum is located in the flour mill, which still works, hosting objects connected to the production of cereals which are destined to food use. There are still the old machines made of stones and all the gear wheels made of wood from the nineteenth century, equipped with the tools which were needed for daily work.
Teatrino Alfredo Catalani, il teatro più piccolo del mondo:
Theatre Alfredo Catalani, the smallest theatre of the world
Located in Vetriano. Open on appointment. Phone: +39 0583 35 81 18 and +39 0583 35 81 31 (caretaker)
The theatre was built at the end of 1800 and it is considered to be the smallest theatre in world, received also an insertion in Guiness of the World (1997). The surface is scarcely 70 sqm. Nevertheless, its reduced dimension there is a ticket office, stalls area, stage. The theatre was bought in 1997 by FAI (Italian assets for environment) which took care of the rebuilding and reopening.
Antica Ferreria Galgani:
Ancient ironworks Galgani,
Al “Distendino” located in Piè Lucese. Open on appointment. Phone: +39 0583 35 92 93
The ironworks site lies amidst the woods, in a stone house along a creek, which helps with the power of the water the hydraulic force to activate the power hammer, later is needed to work the heated iron. Carlo Galgani, the owner, realises here objects done the same way as his ancestors did, back in 1700.
The museum of the Giacomo Puccini house is managed by the association “People from Lucca living abroad”, this association is also the owner of it. Open on appointment, phone: +39 0583-467855
The museum is located in the hamlet of Celle. The family of the Maestro Giacomo Puccini had here its origin, later they moved to the city of Lucca and this house was kept as a country home. The association converted the house into a museum in the year 1973; important items which belonged the Maestro are present, i.e. a phonograph which was a gift of T.A. Edison and the piano, on which the opera “Madama Butterfly” was composed.
Museo Nazionale del Castagno:
The national museum of Chestnut, located in the village of Colognora di Pescaglia, managed by the village. Open on appointment, phone: +39 328 57 22 956
The chestnut museum exist since 1985, it is an ethnographic museum subdivided in different topics – i.e. the production of chestnut wood and the nutrition aspect. The story of the inhabitants of this district is recalled by the conservation of some pieces. It exists also an educational path with signs illustrating the woods and traditional farming. For many Italian tourists and from the rest of the world this museum is a destination worth to visit.
Museo del Molino di Menicone:
Located in San Martino in Freddana, Menicone
Open on appointment, phone: +39 0583 39 0 90
The museum is located in the flour mill, which still works, hosting objects connected to the production of cereals which are destined to food use. There are still the old machines made of stones and all the gear wheels made of wood from the nineteenth century, equipped with the tools which were needed for daily work.
Teatrino Alfredo Catalani, il teatro più piccolo del mondo:
Theatre Alfredo Catalani, the smallest theatre of the world
Located in Vetriano. Open on appointment. Phone: +39 0583 35 81 18 and +39 0583 35 81 31 (caretaker)
The theatre was built at the end of 1800 and it is considered to be the smallest theatre in world, received also an insertion in Guiness of the World (1997). The surface is scarcely 70 sqm. Nevertheless, its reduced dimension there is a ticket office, stalls area, stage. The theatre was bought in 1997 by FAI (Italian assets for environment) which took care of the rebuilding and reopening.
Antica Ferreria Galgani:
Ancient ironworks Galgani,
Al “Distendino” located in Piè Lucese. Open on appointment. Phone: +39 0583 35 92 93
The ironworks site lies amidst the woods, in a stone house along a creek, which helps with the power of the water the hydraulic force to activate the power hammer, later is needed to work the heated iron. Carlo Galgani, the owner, realises here objects done the same way as his ancestors did, back in 1700.
Discovering Pescaglia
The area of the Valfreddana has a relaxing aspect for tourists where they may have a break spaced out by visits in the nearby places. The art cities Lucca and Pisa can be reached in less than an hour or the beautiful beaches of the Versilia. Also Giacomo Puccini chose the quietness of Villa Mansi located in Monsagrati to compose the second act of the opera Tosca.
The mountain part can be traversed on foot, by horse or mountain bike by using some signed paths; they allow tourists to appreciate the ambiance and to get to know the various aspects of it. The district of Pescaglia hosts a large and rich fauna, predatory birds, buzzards and tawny owls, as also great predators such as wolfs, other animals as also various species of reptiles.
Also to be mentioned for passionate persons of Speleology – the great number of cavities – “la Buca delle Fate” (Convalle), “La Buca della Mulina” (Piegaio) and “L’Abisso Marcel Loubens” (Pescaglia). No cavern is equipped for tourism, but at “Buca delle Fate” every year a suggestive Christmas nativity scene is set up.
The mountain part can be traversed on foot, by horse or mountain bike by using some signed paths; they allow tourists to appreciate the ambiance and to get to know the various aspects of it. The district of Pescaglia hosts a large and rich fauna, predatory birds, buzzards and tawny owls, as also great predators such as wolfs, other animals as also various species of reptiles.
Also to be mentioned for passionate persons of Speleology – the great number of cavities – “la Buca delle Fate” (Convalle), “La Buca della Mulina” (Piegaio) and “L’Abisso Marcel Loubens” (Pescaglia). No cavern is equipped for tourism, but at “Buca delle Fate” every year a suggestive Christmas nativity scene is set up.