Montecchio: Sandstone Hills, Art and History

Montecchio between river, hill and forest

Montecchio lies on a sandstone hill on the right bank of the Era River, amid the forests of Le Serre, a rural area between Montecchio and Peccioli. The landscape and local history are reflected in several specific ways: in the sandstone crisscrossed by tunnels, in the remains of the ancient Temple of Ortaglia, in a chapel at the entrance to the Borgo, and in the artwork “Rilievi.” These themes coexist and offer different ways to explore the place. So, if you choose Montecchio as a travel destination, you can consider not only its landscape but also its archaeological, religious and artistic connections.

Sandstone and historical traces

The sandstone is more than the geological setting of the village. The rock on which Montecchio stands is crisscrossed by tunnels. Their origin is uncertain: an Etruscan-era origin is possible, although a medieval origin is considered more likely. During the war, the tunnels were used as shelters. Thus, the history of the rock includes both a possible early date and a specific later use. This distinction leaves the historical interpretation open without obscuring the tunnels’ function during the war.

The artwork “Rilievi”

The artwork “Rilievi” introduces a different perspective. Its arrangement follows the Hartmann grid. Geobiologists identified the radiant nodes on which the artist worked. The pattern and intervention are therefore both part of the conceptual and technical design: the work follows a named pattern and incorporates the identified nodes into the artistic process. When considering Montecchio’s cultural character, “Rilievi” represents an artistic approach, while the temple remains and tunnels reveal other historical layers.

The ancient Temple of Ortaglia

The remains of the ancient Temple of Ortaglia, which was destroyed by fire, are located in the Montecchio area. Remains and finds from the area are now on display at the Museo Archeologico di Peccioli. The ancient history of Ortaglia thus encompasses both the remains in the Montecchio area and their present-day museum display in Peccioli.

The chapel at the entrance to the Borgo

At the entrance to the Borgo Montecchio stands the Cappella della Domenica delle Palme (Palm Sunday Chapel). Its name reflects the fact that Mass is celebrated there only on Palm Sunday. The chapel thus connects a precise location—the entrance to the Borgo—with a clearly defined religious occasion. For travelers interested in local religious history, this connection is particularly concrete: its location and name point to a specific place and a specific feast day. The chapel therefore represents a different kind of cultural heritage from the remains of Ortaglia or the artwork “Rilievi,” arranged according to a pattern.

Festa sulle Serre: a dated event

Another religious connection is the Festa sulle Serre. For the edition held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, a torchlight procession set off at 9 p.m. from Peccioli and Montecchio to the Chiesa della Madonna delle Serre; songs and prayers accompanied the procession. The procession is part of a recurring local tradition, while the date and time given refer specifically to this edition. For travel planning, this is a different timing reference from the chapel’s Palm Sunday Mass: the procession is linked here to this edition of the Festa. If you plan to travel for this festival in the future, check the date of the relevant edition rather than assuming that the May 2026 schedule applies to another year.

Discover more destinations: Marti, Fabbrica, Legoli, Montelopio, Ghizzano

Go to the main travel guide: Peccioli.