Pinete: The Cerbaie Woods and Local History

Pinete is in the municipality of Fucecchio; the Cerbaie Woods lie between the hamlets of Pinete, Torre and Vedute. Nature and local history give the destination two distinct points of interest: the woods, with their trails and a rare plant, offer a connection with nature, while the oratory, church and former production sites reveal other aspects of the area’s history. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether nature and hiking or the area’s history is more important to you.

The Cerbaie Woods and Nature

In the woods of the Ex Opera Pia Landini Marchiani, 7.5 kilometres of trails have been restored. The trails have recreational facilities and educational signage. The trail length and signage give the natural area two points of interest: you can combine walking the trails with a learning experience. If you are planning a specific excursion, check current access arrangements in advance.

The rare carnivorous plant Drosera rotundifolia is also found in the Cerbaie SIC area. The natural setting thus offers two distinct points of interest: the trails and a botanical feature of the area. You can use this distinction when planning your trip and deciding whether you mainly want to spend time in the woods or are interested in this plant.

Places and Historical Traces

The oratory in Pinete, at Via Pesciatina 156, was built in 1793. For a long time, it served as the parish church dedicated to Saint Roch; from 1970, the later church of Pinete replaced the oratory. The Chiesa di Pinete is a small church, also dedicated to Saint Roch, located on the village’s small main square. The two buildings mark different periods in the religious history of the area: the oratory, with its former role as a parish church, and the later church on the main square.

The La Fornace complex on Via Pesciatina offers a different historical perspective. It is listed in the Catasto Leopoldino under the name “La fornace di Saettino” and points to an artisanal production centre that had existed since at least the beginning of the 19th century. Religious building history and artisanal production thus stand alongside one another as distinct historical themes.

The Palaeolithic site represents an even earlier period. It extends across a broad terrace on both sides of the road from Pinete to Massarella and contains artefacts from the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. Compared with the buildings and production history, this archaeological connection reaches much further back in time.

The Assia estate dates from the 19th century. It was initially used for breeding trotting horses and was later converted into an accommodation facility. This sequence links its former use for horse breeding with its later role in accommodation, adding another aspect of Pinete’s economic history.

Discover more destinations: Marliano, Pelago, Vicchio, Paterno, Pontassieve, Bagno A Ripoli, Gigliola, Calenzano

For the main travel overview: Florence.