Orciano Pisano: Hills, Church Art and Fossils

Orciano Pisano offers a combination of hilly landscapes, paleontological finds and church art. Historical traces, local wines, a circular hill trail and events throughout the year round out the themes you can use to plan your trip.

Landscape and Wine

The ridge on which Orciano Pisano lies separates the basins of the Fine and the Tora. At the same time, the town is part of the rolling hills of the Pisan Hills. The Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane runs along the roads around Orciano Pisano. Chianti DOCG and Bianco Pisano di San Torpè DOC are produced in the area. Bianco Pisano di San Torpè has a dry, harmonious taste.

Paleontological Finds

Orciano Pisano's paleontological heritage includes a variety of finds. Pliophoca etrusca, a three-million-year-old seal fossil, was found in its landscape. The hills of Orciano Pisano are also the source of a ten-metre-long fossil skeleton of a baleen whale that lived three million years ago and was excavated in 2007. The skeleton is on display at the Museo di Geologia e Paleontologia. The paleontological area extends across the hills of Orciano Pisano and Santa Luce. Thus, a find from the landscape and a museum exhibit sit alongside the wider regional context. If you plan to visit the museum, check the visiting arrangements in advance.

Church and Historical Traces

The Chiesa di San Michele has a neoclassical appearance and features an original altar made of polychrome marble; the church also contains a copy of Raphael's San Michele Arcangelo. These terms refer to different details: neoclassical describes the appearance, polychrome refers to the marble's multiple colours, while the copy refers to a specific work.

The former Pieve di Scotriano, which was suppressed in 1575, is part of Orciano Pisano's historical setting. Towards the end of the 18th century, a villa with an attached oratory was built on its site. Orciano Pisano probably has medieval origins, documented in records dating back to the 8th century.

Trails, Weekly Market and Festivals

The named circular hill trail from Lorenzana to Orciano Pisano is part of the area's landscape. Photography workshops are held in the Orciano Pisano countryside; check their dates in advance. The weekly market takes place on Thursday mornings; check the current date before you travel, as market times can change.

The Fiera paesana takes place on the second Monday in August. The Festa patronale San Michele is celebrated on 29 September; the annual programme may vary, so it is worth checking the latest dates. The calendar therefore features a weekly market morning, an August event and the patron saint's festival on 29 September.

The 2019 edition of Io Vado a Orciano included a market for handicrafts and local products, as well as bouncy castles and games for children. Admission to the events was free in 2019; later programmes may differ.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Pieve Vecchia, Usigliano, Santa Maria A Monte, Staffoli, Castelnuovo Di Val Di Cecina, Montopoli In Val D'arno, Montescudaio, Calcinaia

Back to the main travel overview: Pisa.