Capannoli between Villa Baciocchi, museums and Valdera
Capannoli: culture, history and sweeping views across Valdera
Capannoli combines historic sites, museums, theatre and regional traditions with views across the Valdera landscape. At its heart is Villa Baciocchi, whose history goes back to a building dating from the 18th century. It was most probably built on the remains of Capannoli’s medieval castle.
Villa Baciocchi and the museums
The Baciocchi marquises inherited Villa Baciocchi in 1833 and made substantial changes to both the building and its monumental park. The villa also includes restored underground areas that were probably built and used as cellars. Several historical layers therefore come together at this historic site, without equating its medieval origins with the later design.
The Archaeological Museum is located on the first floor of the Villa Comunale Baciocchi. Five rooms present the development of human history in the Valdera from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Multimedia features, videos and interactive objects complement the exhibition. The reconstructions include the hut from the Neolithic village of Podere Casanuova in Pontedera and Hut B from the village of Montacchita in Palaia.
The Zoological Museum also occupies five rooms and displays more than 400 preserved animals from around the world. These include mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Some rooms use dioramas to recreate habitats featuring tigers, bears and lions. The museums have a lift that enables people with motor disabilities to access the first floor.
Theatre, courses and events
The Teatro Comunale organises a theatre season for adults and children. In addition, the Scuola delle Arti at the Teatro Comunale offers singing, theatre and music courses for all age groups. In Capannoli, culture can therefore be experienced not only through historical exhibits, but also through stage performances and personal creative activities.
A regular fixture in the events calendar is the Fiera Nazionale degli Uccelli. It has been held in Capannoli for 64 years on the second Sunday in September, stretching from Via Volterrana to the park of Villa Baciocchi. If you time your stay to coincide with this event, you can combine a visit to the historic site with an event that involves several parts of the town.
Sacred art and the Valdera landscape
The Abbey Church of San Bartolomeo in Capannoli preserves a 17th-century wooden crucifix, a painting of the Eucharist dating from the 17th to 18th century, and a 17th-century painting of the martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew by Giovan Stefano Marucelli. These works add another cultural and sacred dimension to the town’s history.
The Telefono del Vento di Capannoli represents the landscape experience. Through large glass panels, visitors can view the landscape of Santo Pietro, Capannoli and the entire Valdera. Capannoli is also part of the Pisan Hills Wine Trail, which brings together the region’s wine, local produce and historical and artistic heritage. The town is also within the production area of Bianco Pisano di San Torpè DOC.
Practical information for your stay
The motorhome parking area in Capannoli has 12 spaces, along with facilities for water supply and disposal and for charging electricity. When choosing accommodation, the cultural highlights, events and combination of wine, local produce and landscape may appeal to different interests. As a complementary local page, you can visit San Pietro Belvedere.
For the broader travel overview: Pisa.
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