Discover Vecchiano

Vecchiano combines a long history of churches with a landscape shaped by the Serchio, protected dunes and gentle hills.

Landscape along the Serchio and the coast

The settlement of Vecchiano stretches along the right bank of the Serchio towards its mouth. Its surroundings bring together gentle hills, waterways and the sea; a significant part of the Parco di Migliarino, San Rossore e Massaciuccoli lies within the municipality of Vecchiano.

Vecchiano’s coast is protected inland by the Macchia di Migliarino and features a protected dune ecosystem. Near the mouth of the Serchio, the shape of the Penisola dei Gabbiani changes in response to river currents, storms and storm surges. The protected dunes and the changing shape of the peninsula thus represent distinct features of the landscape.

It is helpful to distinguish between the settlement and the municipal area when finding your bearings: the settlement lies on the right bank, while the park area and coastal ecosystem characterize the wider area.

Churches and architectural history

The history of Nodica and that of its church can be placed in context using different dates. Nodica was first mentioned in a document in 1047. By contrast, the earliest surviving mention of the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda is found in the tithe register of 1296. These dates identify two points of reference: the settlement and the church.

The medieval bell tower of the Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda was built in 1319. After severe earthquake damage in 1840, the present building was reconstructed ten years later over a medieval church. The single-nave interior has a main nave without side aisles; the semicircular apse forms the rounded end of the church interior.

The originally fortified complex of Santa Maria in Castello lies just outside Vecchiano on a rocky outcrop; its elevated position offers views over the plain below. The church was built in 1120 from an earlier small chapel and the castle tower. Santa Maria in Castello was once part of the castle of Vecchiano, whose documented origins date back to 1120. Remains of 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century frescoes can be seen on the left wall.

The dates mark different building phases: Santa Maria’s construction from the chapel and castle tower in 1120, the bell tower of 1319, and the rebuilding after the earthquake damage of 1840.

Strada dell’Olio dei Monti Pisani

The Strada dell’Olio dei Monti Pisani passes through Vecchiano, one of five municipalities along the route, and can be explored from Vecchiano. It connects artistic and natural attractions with tastings of extra virgin olive oil and other typical local products. While the churches bring specific building phases to life, the route combines artistic and natural attractions with tastings, offering a different thematic focus.

Discover more destinations: Filettole, Avane, Migliarino, Casino di Terra, Le Colombaie, Castel del Bosco, Buti, Terricciola

For the broader travel overview: Pisa.