Santomato: Monastic History, Gardens and Environmental Art

Santomato between Monastic History and Landscape Art

Santomato combines sacred history, designed landscapes and contemporary environmental art to create a diverse destination. The place is particularly interesting for an individual trip to Italy if you would like to combine historical connections, garden spaces and regional products. An important reference point is the monastery of S. Tommaso, which has been documented in Santomato since September 1146. Another focal point is the Fattoria di Celle with its villa, gardens, park and Gori Collection.

Historical Traces around S. Tommaso

The history of S. Tommaso extends beyond its first mention. In 1794, the seat and title of the parish were transferred from the small church of S. Maria to the larger monastery church of S. Tommaso. At the end of the 17th century, the small church was associated with the names SS. Nunziata alla Bure and Chiesina. The Oratory of SS. Annunziata alla Chiesina is also clearly connected to this historical context: in a decree dated 21 November 1680, Bishop Gherardi ordered that a priest should reside there permanently to provide pastoral care. The oratory was dependent on S. Quirico.

Villa, Gardens and Works of Environmental Art

The Fattoria di Celle is a historic, monumental 15th-century villa in the Santomato district of Pistoia. It houses the private Gori Collection of environmental art. The Fattoria combines a historic garden with a flower garden and orchard, as well as a 25-hectare 19th-century park extending to the foothills of the hill behind it.

The Gori Collection comprises 80 works of environmental art. They can be experienced on a walk through the villa’s park with its large English landscape garden. This gives the Fattoria di Celle a special connection between art and designed nature, without requiring the two areas to be viewed separately. The park provides the spatial setting for the works while also being an independent component of the site.

Tastings and Products of the Fattoria di Celle

The Fattoria di Celle also offers visits with tastings of its products. These include the olive oil and wine produced there. The agricultural status is also of interest for the culinary aspect of your stay: since 2019, the entire production has been in the final transition to organic farming. The tasting therefore complements the historical and landscape impressions with a direct connection to the Fattoria’s products.

Palaces, Museums and Mountains in the Surrounding Area

Palazzo Rospigliosi, a palace, is located in the area around Santomato. The Museo dell’Antico Ospedale Del Ceppo, the Museo Civico Pistoia and Oltre are also located there; all three destinations are museums. This allows you to complement the themes of the villa and monastery church with various museum and palace connections.

The mountains Parmolaio, Monte la Croce, Poggio di Valcapratica and Poggio Fuso are located in the landscape surrounding Santomato. Together with the park of the Fattoria di Celle, they create a setting in which garden spaces, historic buildings, art and mountain landscapes exist side by side. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Santomato, you can therefore plan your stay according to your preferred focus – for example, sacred history, environmental art, garden landscapes, tastings or museums.

Other places on the same destination level: Cireglio, Sarripoli, Arcigliano, Piastre, Sammommè, Bottegone, Ponte Nuovo, Piteccio

To the higher-level travel overview: Pistoia.