Vecchiano between the Serchio, the Sea and History
Vecchiano between the Serchio, the Sea and Natural Landscapes
On the right bank of the Serchio, the settlement of Vecchiano extends towards the river mouth. The surroundings combine gentle hills, waterways and the sea. A significant part of the Parco di Migliarino, San Rossore e Massaciuccoli lies within the Vecchiano area. Along the Vecchiano coast, the landward side is protected by the Macchia di Migliarino and features a protected dune ecosystem.
Next to the mouth of the Serchio lies the Penisola dei Gabbiani. Its shape changes due to the river current as well as storms and storm surges. The river, coast and natural processes are therefore just as much part of the character of the place as its historic buildings.
Churches and Historic Traces
The history of Nodica can be traced back to its first documented mention in 1047. The oldest surviving mention of the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda is found in the tithe register of 1296. The medieval bell tower of this church was built in 1319.
The present building of the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda was rebuilt over a medieval church after severe earthquake damage in the 19th century. The church has a single-nave interior with a semicircular apse. Another historic church is the Pieve di Sant’Alessandro, a Romanesque church dating from 1104.
Santa Maria in Castello
Immediately outside Vecchiano, Santa Maria in Castello stands at an elevated point overlooking the plain below. Santa Maria in Castello is a complex originally built as a fortification on a rocky outcrop above Vecchiano. It was formerly part of the castle of Vecchiano, whose documented origins date back to 1120. The church of Santa Maria in Castello was built in 1120 from an earlier small chapel and the castle tower.
Remains of frescoes from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries are visible on the left wall. Thus, the site brings together links to the castle, medieval origins and traces of frescoes.
Olive Oil, Culture and Local Products
The Strada dell’Olio dei Monti Pisani passes through Vecchiano, one of five municipalities along the route. It can be explored from Vecchiano and combines artistic and natural attractions with tastings of extra virgin olive oil and other typical local products.
Vecchiano therefore offers several perspectives for planning your trip. Those who want to combine landscapes with regional cuisine will have different priorities from someone primarily interested in Romanesque and medieval architecture. Churches, the coastal area and the olive oil route can be arranged into different daily and stay rhythms; this does not imply a fixed order or a uniform pace of travel. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore take your personal focus into account without reducing Vecchiano to just one aspect.
For further travel planning, you can also include the directly linked places Filettole, Avane and Migliarino.
For the overarching travel overview: Pisa.
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