Collodi between Pinocchio, Villa Garzoni and a Medieval Village

Collodi combines small houses cascading down a steep hillside with a dense succession of historic, fairy-tale-themed and natural-history attractions. The medieval history is just as present in the townscape as the world of Pinocchio. This creates a destination where architecture, family experiences and nature observation can be explored through clearly distinguishable themes.

Medieval Townscape and Castle Landscape

Collodi has been documented as a medieval village since the 12th century. The Rocca of Collodi has a large enclosed area and several towers; one of these towers was converted into a bell tower. The Pieve di San Bartolomeo is located at the summit of the castle of Collodi and offers a remarkable panorama. These elements give the steep townscape a distinctive historical character.

Villa Garzoni and Baroque Garden Art

The present-day Villa Garzoni complex is the result of a remodelling project begun in the mid-17th century by the architect Ottaviano Diodati with the involvement of the owner, Romano Garzoni. Behind the villa, set in a green area, stands a bright red building designed by Filippo Juvarra, which can be considered one of the most significant examples of Baroque architecture in Tuscany. The Storico Giardino Garzoni includes artificial grottoes and theatres shaped from boxwood hedges.

Pinocchio as a Family Experience

Pinocchio Park was developed between 1956 and 1987 as a theme park for children's education. The MIP – Museo Interattivo di Pinocchio is located at the beginning of the route through Pinocchio Park and brings key settings from the story to life again through multimedia, interactivity and play. In the Paese dei Balocchi area, 21 bronze sculptures by Pietro Consagra depict characters, situations and settings from the fairy tale.

Pinocchio Park offers a route shaped by art and nature that conveys the impression of a living fairy tale. The Parco Monumentale di Pinocchio organises daily storytelling walks, educational workshops with a playful approach and puppet theatre performances for visitors.

Butterflies and Tropical Nature

Hundreds of tropical and equatorial butterflies live in the Casa delle Farfalle in Collodi, moving freely through a recreated lush tropical garden. Visitors can observe all stages of development, from egg to adult butterfly, and compare diurnal butterflies with nocturnal moths. In this way, the Casa delle Farfalle complements the historic and fairy-tale-themed attractions with a natural-history perspective.

Routes and Practical Information

The Sentiero Valleriana 51 is designated in Collodi as an easy trekking route. There is also a motorhome parking area with five spaces; the motorhome site provides water and a waste-disposal facility. If you choose accommodation or a hotel in Collodi, Villa Garzoni, Pinocchio Park and the Casa delle Farfalle can provide different focal points for planning your day.

Other Places

Sorana, Castelvecchio, Aramo, San Quirico, Pietrabuona, Vellano, Monte A Pescia, Fibbialla

For the higher-level travel overview: Pescia.