Pieve Di Compito: Camellias, Trails and Local History

Pieve di Compito brings together camellia culture, church history and a network of walking trails that passes through the area. The Mostra Antiche Camelie della Lucchesia takes place every year in Pieve di Compito and Sant’Andrea di Compito, offering an opportunity to rediscover the old villages.

Camellias as a cultural focus

The Camellietum comprises around 1,000 camellia cultivars, 250 of which are named. If you are planning to visit for the exhibition, check the dates and programme for the next edition. In 2026, the 37th edition of the Mostra took place. Around a quarter of the approximately 1,000 camellia cultivars are named.

Walking trails and springs

The Borgo delle Camelie walking-trail network passes through Pieve di Compito. It covers around 20,000 square metres of woodland, meadows and rural land, and also passes through S. Andrea di Compito, Vorno, San Giusto and Ruota. The Borgo delle Camelie connects Pieve di Compito and Sant’Andrea di Compito. The Via dell’Acqua includes the L’Agostina and Ponte alle Corti springs in Pieve di Compito. If you are planning a specific walk, check trail conditions in advance, as practical conditions may change. Every March, the Sentiero delle Camelie can be walked along a route of around two hours through a largely unspoilt setting. The month indicates the seasonal timeframe, while the approximate duration offers a guide for planning your day.

Church history in chronological order

The ancient parish church of Pieve di Compito is first documented in a deed dating to 983. At the beginning of the 11th century, the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista changed location; it was built at its present site and dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. A pastoral visit in 1498 described the church as having a bell tower, a single-nave layout, four altars, no tabernacle and a baptismal font. The term “single-nave” describes a church with one main nave; this makes the historical architectural description clearer. These details come from different periods: the relocation and construction at the beginning of the 11th century are followed by the detailed snapshot from 1498. If historical sites factor into your travel decision, this chronology offers a concrete way to explore local and church history.

Olive growing at Villa Orsi

Agricultural production is another aspect of Villa Orsi. The Villa Orsi estate has a large olive grove of around 2,500 trees, producing organic olive oil for a select clientele. This lets you include an agricultural perspective in your travel decision, alongside camellia culture, the landscape and church history.

Discover more destinations

S.Andrea In Caprile, Camigliano, Lappato, Lunata, Lammari, Massa Macinaia, Colle Di Compito, Gragnano

For the overview of the wider area: Capannori.