Tatti: Churches, Castle and Community Forest

In Tatti, several historical periods, architectural features and a tradition of community forestry come together. The village is documented in the inventories of the Diocese of Lucca from the 9th century. Churches, castle and town walls offer different perspectives on the village’s history; the Selva di Tatti adds a distinctive landscape of its own. If you are considering Tatti as a destination, you can look at these topics separately: the development of the buildings on the one hand, and the forest’s significance to the community on the other.

Churches with different building histories

The Church of San Sebastiano still has clearly recognisable medieval features and was renovated in the 18th century. Santa Maria Assunta dates from the 13th century and was completely rebuilt at the end of the 19th century. This makes it possible to distinguish San Sebastiano’s surviving medieval features from the later complete rebuilding of Santa Maria Assunta. A renovation and a complete rebuilding refer to different interventions; the building’s later changes therefore matter as well as its origins.

Castle, town walls and stone details

The castle was acquired by the Aldobrandeschi in the 13th century; in 1267, it was ceded to the Pannocchieschi. Thus, a reference to a century and a specific year mark two stages in its ownership history. At the highest point of Tatti’s hill stands an imposing stone Cassero, which extends around an inner courtyard. Part of the town walls is still visible, particularly on the south side. There, a round-arched gate survives, topped by three rounded stones. The town walls describe the fortification as a continuous structure; the gate is a single surviving detail on its south side. This makes it possible to distinguish the overall form from specific architectural features.

The Selva di Tatti as a community forest

The Selva di Tatti is a community forest that legally belongs to the entire village. It is divided into three named forest districts: Bandita La Selva, Bandita di Mezzo and Bandita del Pian di Tatti. Unlike the churches and castle, it represents community ownership and the division of the forest. The character of the Selva therefore has two aspects: its community ownership and its division into areas with their own names.

Planning guided excursions

The programme listing of guided excursions, accessed on 29 August 2026, includes the route “Il borgo di Tatti, tra fontanili e mulini”. The same programme listing also includes routes through forests, along old paths and through the villages of Prata, Niccioleta and Tatti. Registration at least 48 hours in advance is required for the guided hike with Tatti listed there. The guided excursions in the programme shown in this listing, which includes Tatti, are designed for groups of 2 to 20 participants. Check the seasonal calendar before travelling and confirm the arrangements. The calendar and registration address different planning questions: check the seasonal period for the excursion and allow at least 48 hours’ notice to register for the guided hike with Tatti.

Discover more destinations: Cura Nuova, Prata.

Go to the main travel overview: Massa Marittima.