Tuscany will never fail to amaze you.

The commune of Chianni has Etruscan origins. Up until 1406, the year it became subject to Florentine rule, the ancient castle was the subject of dispute between the Bishop of Volterra and the Italian Republic. Within the city, in addition to the remains of the Medieval tower structures, it is possible to visit the Church of San Donato (1275) and the Church of Compagnia della SS. Annunziata, a crypt excavated from the tuff under the Church and transformed into a fresco in 1770.

Going further to Rivalto, a pleasant place in the country, you will find the Church of SS.Fabiano e Sebastiano and the Holy Place of Santa Maria del Carmine, both dating back to the 14th Century, the lastly mentioned encircled by a fantastic pine wood setting.

A place rich
with attractions
and surprises.

RELAXATION AND
WELL-BEING

GENUINE CUISINE

EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Nature, well-being, food and art: they can all be found in Valdera!

Up until the 15th Century, Florence, Pisa and Volterra fought for Valdera as it represents a strategic pathway between the hills of Volterra and Lower Valdarno. Traces of Etruscan times can be found in Valdera, which date back to the Iron Age, particularly in the various archaeological settlements within the Communes of Laj‡tico, PËccioli, Terricciola, Chianni and Casciana Terme.

Relaxation and well-being to revive the mind and spirit.
The nearby Casciana Terme represents an important thermal centre, already recognised as early as the 1800s for the healthy benefits of its waters. At present, the Thermal centre offers a large outdoor thermal bath, surrounded by a vast, looked-after green park, where you can relax in harmony amongst nature.

The Well-being Centre of Tombolo in Castagneto Carducci, offers relaxation and toning therapies which rely on essential oils and lava stones, thalassotherapy and hydromassage treatments. It is possible to go horse-riding in the many local horse-riding centres such as those in Fauglia, Lorenzana and Ghizzano di Peccioli.

For golf lovers, there are three clubs which can easily be reached in half an hour: Castelfalfi, Tirrenia and Calcinaia.

Historic villages, a cultural treasure to be discovered.
The city of Volterra, created from grey stone and populated with tower-houses, has conserved an historic centre of Etruscan origin and various Medieval buildings. Peccioli is a commune which is also built on a soft hill with vine cultivations; its Archaeological Museum houses the remains from the Etruscan site of Ortaglia.

We recommend taking a stroll around the old village of Lari and visiting the well preserved Castello dei Vicari, a Medieval-Renaissance castle. When in Palaia, it is worth visiting the masonic Temple of Minerva Medica and the Romanesque Church of San Martino, built entirely from terracotta.

In Lajatico, the birth place of the tenor, Andrea Bocelli, it is possible to admire the striking Teatro del Silenzio, where the famous singer performs once a year.

Countryside excursions and activities.
Chianni is a wild area bordered by the woodlands of inner Tuscany, dominated by oak trees and chestnut trees, and the coastline, the realm of the Mediterranean coast. For those who enjoy excursions, we offer different routes of varying levels of difficulty, waling routes, on horseback or by mountain bike.

The valley of Torrente Ghiaccione, nestled in the woodland of Chianni, is loved by local inhabitants for the natural pools, with waterfalls of up to 6 metres in height in which it is possible to enjoy a swim in summer. The dominant tree species is the oak tree in the area near to Poggio alla Nebbia, whilst the underbush is rich with juniper, myrtle, strawberry trees and broom.

When exploring the inland westwards, along the road which leads to Castellina Marittima, the hillside landscape presents coastal plant species, the coast being only 15 km away. Sea lovers can easily get to the marvellous Costa degli Etruschi (S. Vincenzo, Donoratico and Castiglioncello) as well as other magical seaside locations such as Calafuria, Fortullino, Quercianella, Cecina and Marina di Castagneto Carducci.

Good food takes centre stage in Tuscany!
Olive and Wine tours allow you to visit the local cellars and oil mills to sample typical dishes, taste good wine, and indulge in Tuscan extra-virgin olive oil.

We recommend that you visit the Badia di Morrona farmhouse and the Pieve de' Pitti estate.

Main festivals and food events:

Chianni

II° and III° Sunday in November

Sagra del Cinghiale

Montefoscoli

From 25/04 to 1/05

Sagra del Prosciutto e del Baccello

Terricciola

II° and III° Sunday in May

Sagra della Fragola

Lari

IV° Sunday in May and
I° Sunday in June