Calci at Monte Pisano: Culture, Trails and Olive Oil

Calci lies at the foot of the Monti Pisani in the heart of the Valgraziosa, a natural amphitheatre. The town combines a striking landscape with remarkable cultural sites and a regionally rooted olive-growing culture.

Landscape and Trails on Monte Pisano

On the western side of Monte Pisano lies the Valgraziosa, with chestnut forests, Mediterranean scrub and ancient terraced olive groves. Numerous trails lead from there up into the Monti Pisani. In Calci, it is possible to hike through the wooded mountains between villages, hermitages, churches and towers. This allows you to shape your stay in different ways: you can explore the landscape along the trails or combine nature with small cultural destinations.

Certosa, Churches and Collections

At the Certosa di Calci, visitors can see the large cloister, a monk’s cell, the church, the chapels, the refectory and the chapter house. The Bibbia atlantica, an illuminated 12th-century manuscript in four volumes, is on display in the sacristy. The Museo di Storia Naturale of the University of Pisa, also housed in the Certosa, contains zoological, palaeontological and mineralogical collections. The museum also includes Italy’s largest freshwater aquarium.

Calci’s cultural heritage also includes Castelmaggiore, a fortification and the former main settlement of the area. The Pieve di Calci is also well worth a closer look: its interior is divided into three naves separated by granite columns. In the village of Nicosia, the church of Sant’Agostino displays the nativity scene “Il Presepio che cresce di Nicosia”, which is supplemented with a new figure every year. Since 2013, the nativity scenes in the Museo di Storia Naturale of the University of Pisa at the Certosa di Calci have also been displayed again every year during the festive season.

Olive Oil as Part of the Town’s Character

The Strada dell’Olio Monti Pisani passes through Calci and runs through a total of five municipalities: Buti, Calci, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano and Vicopisano. Calci lies along this olive oil route, whose area is characterised by ancient terraced olive groves. Extra virgin olive oil “IGP Toscano – sottozona Monti Pisani” is produced there from hand-harvested and cold-pressed olives of the Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo varieties. The Festa dell’Olio takes place in November and includes a tasting of olive oil from Calci.

Getting There and Ideas for Planning Your Trip

Calci can be reached from Pisa’s central Sesta Porta bus station on buses 120 and 161 in around 30 minutes. Rail travellers can take the Pisa–Florence route to Pisa station and continue from there by bus to Calci. The connection with Pisa also makes the town an interesting option for a trip that combines cultural sites with the landscape of the Monti Pisani.

Monte Pisano is considered an attraction for cycling enthusiasts; from its terraces, views extend as far as Corsica. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether the Certosa and the churches, the trails through the Valgraziosa, the olive oil or a combination of these themes should be the main focus of your stay.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Ponte a Egola, Molino d'Egola, Ponsacco, Lajatico, Calci, Montopoli In Val D'arno, Casino di Terra, Montecatini Val Di Cecina.

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