Orciano Pisano: Among Hills, Fossils and Festivals

Hills, Valleys and Traces of Prehistory

Orciano Pisano lies among the broad hills of the Pisan Hills. The town stands on a ridge separating the basins of the Fine and the Tora rivers. Its location between the two basins forms the topographical setting for the hills and the fossils found there. The three-million-year-old seal fossil Pliophoca etrusca was found in the landscape. The paleontological area extends across the hills of Orciano Pisano and Santa Luce.

The Museo di Geologia e Paleontologia displays a ten-metre-long fossil skeleton of a baleen whale that lived three million years ago. The whale was excavated in the hills of Orciano Pisano in 2007. Both fossil finds date back three million years; one belonged to a seal and the other to a baleen whale.

Church and Local History

Orciano Pisano probably has medieval origins; documents from the 8th century attest to this early history. The Chiesa di San Michele has a neoclassical appearance. Inside is a copy of Raphael's San Michele Arcangelo, as well as an original polychrome marble altar. The church thus combines a neoclassical appearance with a Raphael copy and an original polychrome marble altar. The former Pieve di Scotriano was dissolved in 1575. A villa with an adjoining oratory was built on its site towards the end of the 18th century.

Market, Festivals and Special Dates

A weekly market is held in Orciano Pisano on Thursday mornings. The Fiera paesana takes place on the second Monday in August, while the Festa patronale San Michele is celebrated on 29 September. The musical event Io vado ad Orciano takes place in Orciano Pisano in July. At the 2019 edition, there was a market for handicrafts and local products, as well as bouncy castles and games for children; admission to the events of this festival was free. Photography workshops are also held in the Orciano Pisano countryside. The fixed dates therefore fall in July, on the second Monday in August and on 29 September.

Hill Trail, Photography and Regional Specialities

The landscape around Orciano Pisano includes the circular hill trail from Lorenzana to Orciano Pisano. The Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane runs along the roads around Orciano Pisano. Chianti DOCG is produced in the area. Bianco Pisano di San Torpè DOC is also produced there; this wine has a dry and harmonious taste. Pecorino Toscano DOP is a soft or semi-hard cheese that is often served as an antipasto or used to season traditional recipes.

Further Discovery

Also discover Pieve Vecchia.

For the main travel overview: Pisa.

More Destinations

More places under the same destination:

Montopoli In Val D'arno, Calcinaia, Ponte a Egola, Castelnuovo Di Val Di Cecina, Cenaia, Bientina, Molino d'Egola.