Why Uzzano is worth leaving the main road
Uzzano Castello rises above the Valdinievole between Pescia and Montecatini Terme, yet it feels far removed from the busier towns below. The historic settlement formed part of a wider defensive network of hilltop villages and castles, and its position still explains the appeal: stone lanes, olive-covered slopes and long views across the valley. For travellers spending several days in Pistoia, it offers a slower alternative to the region’s headline attractions without requiring an exhausting itinerary.
Start with the medieval village
Begin by walking through Uzzano Castello itself. The old centre is compact, but the steep lanes reward a measured pace and comfortable shoes. Look for traces of the fortified layout and allow time for the changing views between houses, gardens and terraces. Uzzano’s history was shaped by routes linking this side of Tuscany with Lucca, including the ancient Cassia-Clodia corridor and later pilgrimage movement connected with the Via Francigena. The village therefore feels secluded today, but it was never culturally isolated.
Visit the Church of Santi Jacopo and Martino
At the top of the village stands the thirteenth-century Church of Santi Jacopo and Martino. Its collection includes a Romanesque holy-water stoup, a medieval wooden crucifix dated to around 1320, Renaissance frescoes, a marble baptismal font and a glazed terracotta Saint Anthony Abbot attributed to Giovanni della Robbia. The church’s cobbled approach and panoramic churchyard are memorable even when the interior is closed. Public access is organised periodically, so check the church’s website before travelling if the artworks are a priority.
Follow the Puccini connection
Uzzano also has an unexpected musical association. According to Tuscany’s official tourism portal, Giacomo Puccini spent several months at Villa Orsi Bertolini, now known as Villa Anzilotti, and worked here on the second and third acts of La Bohème. The villa stands among olive trees and cypresses but is not an everyday visitor attraction; it opens only on special occasions. Treat it as part of the landscape and local story rather than building the day around guaranteed entry.
Climb towards the best viewpoints
For a broader panorama, continue towards Poggio di Pianacci, described by the regional tourism authority as a natural terrace at roughly 500 metres above sea level. In clear conditions the view can extend towards Florence and the coast. Choose a route suited to the weather and your fitness, carry water and avoid assuming that every rural path is suitable after heavy rain. Even without a longer walk, the churchyard and upper lanes provide satisfying views over Pescia and the Valdinievole.
Make olive oil part of the day
The hills around Uzzano belong to the Valdinievole Olive Oil, Villages and Castles Trail. Terraced groves, small woods and farm buildings define the route, which also connects places such as Buggiano, Massa and Cozzile. Tuscan PGI extra-virgin olive oil is the central product, traditionally used with unsalted bread, soups and dishes such as ribollita and pappa al pomodoro. If you want a tasting or farm visit, book directly with a participating producer rather than relying on spontaneous access.
A practical one-day plan
Driving gives the greatest flexibility and is the best option if you want to combine Uzzano with another castle village or an olive-oil producer. The official regional itinerary describes a twelve-kilometre circuit intended for one day. Without a car, use the rail corridor at the foot of the hills as the starting point and verify the current local bus or taxi connection for the uphill section before departure. Begin in Uzzano Castello, have lunch in the wider Pescia–Valdinievole area, then add either a viewpoint walk or one nearby village rather than rushing through the entire trail.
How to keep the visit rewarding
Uzzano works best as a day of small discoveries. Check church and villa openings independently, wear footwear suitable for steep stone surfaces and leave room for seasonal food rather than fixing every stop in advance. In summer, start early and carry sun protection; in cooler months, expect damp or slippery lanes. The result is an itinerary that combines medieval history, sacred art, music and agricultural tradition in a landscape still shaped by olive groves.
Sources
Information verified on 16 August 2026 through Visit Tuscany: Uzzano, Visit Tuscany: Valdinievole Olive Oil, Villages and Castles Trail, official Church of Santi Jacopo and Martino website, official church history and the Diocese of Pescia.
Cover image: “Panorama di Uzzano Castello” by Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
