Asciano: Cisternone, Aqueduct and Historic Churches

The Cisternone of Asciano is a historic building and part of the Acquedotto Mediceo. It is located in the protected ANPIL Valle delle Fonti area and was built in 1695 as part of the aqueduct complex. Construction of the Acquedotto Mediceo had already begun in 1592. The dates mark different stages: 1592 marks the start of construction of the aqueduct, while 1695 marks the construction of the Cisternone within the complex.

The Cisternone and the Acquedotto Mediceo

Inside the Cisternone is a model of the Acquedotto Mediceo of Pisa and its surroundings. It is made to a scale of 1:1000, covers about 60 square metres, and shows the area as it was in the first half of the 19th century. The scale can be read concretely: one centimetre on the model represents ten metres in the area shown. The area, scale ratio and time period thus provide three distinct points of reference—the model’s spatial extent, its scale in relation to the surroundings, and a historical snapshot.

Construction of the Acquedotto Mediceo began in 1592, and it comprises more than 900 arches along a six-kilometre route. Many sections between Asciano and Pisa can be covered on foot or by bicycle. The Via dei Condotti in Asciano is used for walking and cycling. It is also the starting point of the “La Via degli Acquedotti” trekking route, which connects Pisa and Lucca via Monte Pisano. Alongside the history of the structure, the named routes and their respective points of reference are also in focus.

Churches and Architectural History

The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista brings together an early historical reference and specific architectural details. Its first documented mention dates to 1137. The façade is clad in neatly cut limestone blocks from the quarries of San Giuliano. The bell tower bears the inscription “1914 Il Popolo”. The mention, building material and inscription offer different points of reference when you explore the history and design of the Pieve.

The Oratorio di San Rocco adds to this timeline: its first documented record comes from pastoral visits recorded between 1622 and 1657; the Oratorio was restored in 1888. The Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Fatima provides a much more recent point of reference. It was built in 1986 to a design by the architect Gabriele Bonaguidi. The church is a small chapel with a gabled roof and a single-nave interior. Compared with the older historical references of the Pieve and the Oratorio, the year 1986 points to a later phase of local religious architecture.

Gardens and Routes in Asciano

The Giardino dei Profumi is a small botanical garden in Asciano featuring several particularly important flower species. It adds a botanical theme to the historic buildings. If you are interested in the different aspects of the area, gardens and routes are also available as distinct points of interest alongside the aqueduct and churches.

Sentiero 117 starts in Loc. Asciano Valle, on the road to Casa del Polacco; Casa del Polacco is the entrance to ANPIL Monte Castellare. There is a Centro Parco and a Foresteria for accommodating hikers along Sentiero 117. If you plan to use these facilities, check the latest access and opening information. Sentiero 121 has a different starting point: it leads uphill from the Cisternone of the Acquedotto Mediceo in Asciano to Mirteto. The starting points clearly distinguish the two routes—Loc. Asciano Valle for Sentiero 117, and the Cisternone for Sentiero 121.

Discover more destinations: Arena Metato, Ripafratta, Madonna Dell'acqua, Gello, Molina Di Quosa-Rigoli.

Back to the main travel overview: San Giuliano Terme.