Calci between Certosa, Nature and Olive Oil

Calci combines culture, nature and local festivals into a diverse travel destination. If you are planning a trip to Italy and want to choose between historical impressions, peaceful walks, cycling tours and the region's olive oil culture, you will find various points of interest here. The landscape extends from the Valgraziosa to the Monti Pisani, while Certosa and Pieve give the town a distinctive historical character.

Certosa, Collections and Sacred Architecture

The palaeontological collection of the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa comprises approximately 200,000 specimens collected over more than 400 years. Guided tours of the museum explore various departments covering the history of humans, the Earth and animals. At the Certosa di Calci, you can also encounter aspects of eremitic and cenobitic life, including the large cloister, a cell, the church, chapels, the refectory and the chapter house.

Architectural details can be viewed at the Chiostro del Capitolo, the oldest of the three cloisters at the Certosa di Calci. The Pieve di Calci has three naves separated by granite columns. This brings different forms of religious and architectural history close together in Calci, without requiring you to focus on a single cultural theme.

Valgraziosa and Monti Pisani

The Valgraziosa near Calci forms a natural amphitheatre called Valle Graziosa. Olive trees, Mediterranean scrub, pines and chestnut trees shape the varied natural landscape. Numerous paths lead from the valley of Calci up to the Monti Pisani; at the same time, the paths are suitable for peaceful walks with the family. For more active days, the L'anello del Monte Pisano cycling route passes through Calci.

From higher points near Calci, on clear days you can look across Pisa as far as the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. The combination of valley, wooded slopes, olive trees and viewpoints makes the area particularly interesting if you would like to combine culture and physical activity.

Festivals and Olive Oil as Part of Local Life

The historic Gioco del Mulino is part of the local character: a game between the eight Rioni of Calci held on the second Sunday in May. In the first week of August, the historic Fiera di Sant’Ermolao follows, with craft markets, concerts, art exhibitions, fairground rides and a traditional tombola.

In November, the Festa dell'Olio takes place, featuring a tasting of olive oil from Calci. Also in November, the Mercatino di Natale gathers around the Romanesque Pieve in the town centre. Local craftspeople, artists, olive growers and merchants offer products from the region as well as small handmade gifts. The “Oil Experience” includes a visit to the facility with a short route through the olive grove between the operating areas and the internal car park, followed by an oil tasting on a panoramic terrace.

The topic is also present beyond Calci: the Monti Pisani Olive Oil Trail covers five municipalities, including Calci, Buti, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano and Vicopisano. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore first consider whether you would prefer the paths through the landscape, the Certosa, the festivals or the olive oil culture to be the main focus for you.

Getting There and Further Travel Planning

Calci can be reached from Pisa by buses no. 120 and 161 in approximately 30 minutes. They depart from the central Sesta Porta bus station. This connection can be taken into account when planning accommodation in Calci, along with your personal interests in walking, cycling, architecture or regional events.

Discover More Places

For further travel planning, you can also explore Montemagno, Capannoli, Boschi, San Miniato, Coltano Radio, Montecatini Val Di Cecina, Castelnuovo Di Val Di Cecina and Castellina Marittima.

For the higher-level travel overview: Pisa.