Calci: Certosa, culture and olive groves at Monte Pisano

Calci lies at the foot of the Monti Pisani, in the heart of the Valgraziosa. The landscape is described as a natural amphitheatre, bringing together chestnut woods, Mediterranean scrub and ancient terraced olive groves. In Calci, cultural sites, collections and trails through a distinctive mountain landscape come together. You can decide which aspect you’d like to explore by choosing the sights and activities that interest you most.

The Certosa di Calci and its artistic treasures

The Certosa di Calci is an important site in the area’s cultural history. On a visit, you can see the large cloister, a monk’s cell, the church and the chapels. The refectory and chapter house are also open to visitors. The different rooms offer an insight into various aspects of the complex, from communal life to its sacred spaces.

The sacristy houses the Bibbia atlantica, an illuminated manuscript from the 12th century comprising four volumes. Its specific location and multi-volume format make it a special point of interest for anyone interested in historic manuscripts.

The architecture of the Pieve di Calci is also worth a closer look: its interior is divided into three naves separated by granite columns. The area’s cultural heritage also includes Castelmaggiore, a fortification and the former main settlement of the area. Together, these two places complement the Certosa with further aspects of Calci’s history and architecture.

Collections and nativity scenes at the Certosa

The Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa houses zoological, palaeontological and mineralogical collections. The museum is also home to Italy’s largest freshwater aquarium. This gives it a different focus from the historic rooms of the Certosa: here, natural history and the diversity of the collections take centre stage.

Every year since 2013, nativity scenes have been displayed in the museum during the festive season. Another nativity tradition can be found in the village of Nicosia, at the Church of Sant’Agostino, where the display “Il Presepio che cresce di Nicosia” is shown and a new figure is added each year. These two examples offer different points of interest for anyone drawn to religious art and local traditions.

The Valgraziosa and the Monti Pisani

Numerous trails lead from the Valgraziosa up into the Monti Pisani. In Calci, you can hike through wooded mountains dotted with villages, hermitages, churches and towers. Landscape and cultural heritage meet in the same mountain region, with the named destinations giving different routes their own thematic focus.

Monte Pisano is also a draw for cycling enthusiasts. From its terraces, views extend as far as Corsica. Alongside hiking trails, visitors interested in the landscape can enjoy a viewpoint that looks beyond the immediate area.

Olive groves and the local olive oil tradition

Calci lies on the Strada dell’Olio Monti Pisani. It passes through five municipalities: Buti, Calci, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano and Vicopisano. The area along the route is characterised by ancient terraced olive groves. Extra virgin olive oil bearing the protected designation “IGP Toscano – sottozona Monti Pisani” is produced here. The olives are hand-picked and cold-pressed, and come from the Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo varieties.

The Festa dell’Olio takes place in November and includes a tasting of olive oil from Calci. The terraces that shape the landscape and the festival tasting offer two different ways to experience the local olive oil tradition. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates in advance.

Getting to Calci

Calci can be reached from Pisa’s central Sesta Porta bus station on buses 120 and 161 in about 30 minutes. Rail travellers can take the Pisa–Florence line to Pisa station and continue to Calci by bus. You can check the latest bus timetable when planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: San Miniato, Palaia, Crespina, Lari, Guardistallo, Sasso Pisano, Montescudaio, Castel del Bosco.

For the main travel overview: Pisa.