Description of the attraction
Val di Cecina, located in the southern part of the province of Pisa, is an amazingly beautiful valley with typical Tuscan countryside with its cypress alleys, olive groves and vineyards. The landscapes of the valley are very diverse - clay hills of the most incredible colors, here and there dazzling with bare slopes, limestone cliffs "calanques", vast forests and rocks, sharply contrasting with deep hollows. The unique landscapes of the geothermal zone with its steam duct system and the picturesque views of Balze Volterran are breathtaking. You can get a closer look at the different aspects of geothermal energy use - from exploration to production - in the museum of the town of Larderello.
The entire territory of Val di Cecina, from lush hills to steep rocky cliffs, is dotted with ancient and very interesting sights - churches and monasteries, villas and castles, country estates and small picturesque villages.
The Monterufoli Nature Reserve is a land of numerous water sources that, since the 14th century, have supplied Pisa with water through an aqueduct and other ingenious inventions. The vegetation of the reserve is very diverse: here you can find pine groves, from which the sailors of the Pisa Republic once took materials for the construction of their ships, and 500-year-old oaks, which ensured the existence of agriculture.
Today in Val di Cecina, ecological tourism is very developed, preaching harmony between nature and the local population. You can take a bike tour along the winding roads that traverse the many villages on the slopes of the Monti Pisani mountains, or hike along the Serchio River. You can also raft along it by boat or raft. Nature lovers will love bird-watching tours, especially Lake Santa Luce. Well, for those who wish to dive deeper into the history of these places, experienced guides will take you to various educational visit centers.
