Pomaia: Tibetan Buddhist culture and local festivals

In Pomaia, the Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is at the heart of the Tibetan Buddhist cultural scene. Local festivals and activities in the surrounding area round out the offer. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Pomaia, these different highlights can help you decide where to go: local culture, a suitable event date or activities in the region.

Tibetan Buddhist culture in Pomaia

The Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa is a Tibetan Buddhist centre in the Mahayana tradition. It is open daily. The main rooms can be visited when they are not being used for activities; the park is accessible at all times. There you will find stupas, prayer wheels and statues, as well as Tibetan-style frescoes. The areas of the castle open to visitors include the Lama Yeshe Hall, the large meditation hall and the Mandala Hall, with a large wooden mandala.

The Gompa di Cenresig is a former chapel restored according to the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. It stands at the highest point of the institute grounds, in a grove of oaks and holm oaks. Frescoes on the ceiling depict Tara and Buddha Shakyamuni. Another distinctive feature is the Casa degli Tsa Tsa: it contains 100,000 bas-reliefs made by Cesare di Giovanni during a retreat and is crowned by a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni.

The library houses around 8,000 books, mostly specialist works on Eastern philosophies, Buddhism—particularly Tibetan Buddhism—and Buddhist art and iconography. The reading room is accessible at all times as a place to study and find quiet reflection. Borrowing and consultation are available during opening hours that vary by season. The institute also organises Buddhist retreats ranging from a single weekend to a month. Which options fall during your travel dates depends on the calendar; check the specific programme if taking part is important to your stay.

Festivals and local cuisine

The Festival del Tibet is open to everyone, including first-time visitors to Pomaia. The 2026 edition presents Tibetan culture and spirituality through teachings, meditation, cinema, photography, books, music, workshops, laboratories and Tibetan cuisine. Its wide-ranging programme offers different ways to engage with culture and spirituality. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates for the relevant edition.

Local festivals also have their own distinctive character. The Sagra del Baccello takes place in spring; its dates vary from year to year. Along with the Sagra del Popone, it is one of Pomaia’s two main local events. The Sagra del Popone features traditional Tuscan dishes, including tagliatelle with wild boar, vegetable soup and stockfish. When planning your trip, therefore, consider whether you would like to attend a festival and which dates suit you.

Getting there and activities in the surrounding area

The nearest railway station to Pomaia is Rosignano, which can be reached by regional train. Faster trains stop in Cecina, about 20 kilometres away. Check current train connections before travelling if you plan to arrive by rail.

A cycling route also passes through the village: the Giro Castiglioncello – Rosignano Marittimo – Pomaia – Colognole – Gabbro – Nibbiaia – Castiglioncello route passes through Pomaia after a climb of about 7 kilometres and continues to Pastina, reached after 20.5 kilometres. In the wider region around Pomaia, Bosco di Santa Luce offers trails and opportunities for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking. These activities are in the surrounding area and complement cultural visits and events with another way to experience the region.

Discover more destinations: Pastina, Pieve Di Santa Luce.

Back to the main travel overview: Santa Luce.