San Mommè – Hiking and Church History

San Mommè lies at an elevation of about 555 meters above sea level, near the source of the Ombrone Pistoiese. Its houses are scattered among the surrounding forests, characterized by lush chestnut groves. At the same time, the village developed around the Pieve di San Matteo. This offers different starting points for planning a trip: the landscape, hiking trails, and historical traces. The routes differ in their destinations and character; the village’s history spans a possible early founding through to church events in the 18th century.

Landscape and Trails

The Sentiero delle Stazioni runs between San Mommè and Piteccio, giving hikers a close-up view of the waterworks of the Ferrovia Porrettana. This route therefore focuses on the railway structures. By contrast, the circular route from San Mommè starts in the village’s main square. The first fountain for refilling water bottles is at Pian di Giuliano; the loop also includes technically challenging single-track sections leading to Passo di Piastreta. If you’re choosing between the routes, they offer different highlights: waterworks along the Sentiero, and a circular route with a fountain stop and technically challenging sections.

Another option is the itinerary “In treno sulla Linea Gotica” (By Train Along the Gothic Line), which involves taking the train from Pistoia to Pracchia, hiking to San Mommè, and returning to Pistoia by train. If you’re considering this itinerary for your trip, check the train connections using the timetable for your travel date.

Church and Historical Traces

The Pieve di San Matteo is closely linked to the development of the village: San Mommè grew up around the church. Its dedication suggests that it may date back to the 7th century. This is distinct from the ecclesiastical date of April 9, 1726. On that day, a decree by Bishop Colombino Bassi elevated the church, then led by parish priest Giovanni Morelli, to the status of a pieve. The possible early founding and the later elevation thus mark different stages in the village’s history.

The church of San Mommè has an Agati–Tronci organ dating from the late 19th century. It has 56 manual keys, 16 pedal keys, and 16 stops. Another historical trace can be found in the hamlet of Savaiana: the first houses there clustered around the small Pian di Ripalta oratory, also known as Il Chiesino.

Above San Mommè stand the remains of Castello di Batoni. They are associated with former episcopal estates and the legend of Selvaggia dei Vergiolesi. According to tradition, she is said to have stayed there while fleeing. The Gothic Line also crossed at several points in the area between Pistoia and Pracchia, extending to San Mommè; a few little-known remains have survived.

San Mommè Color Park

San Mommè Color Park is a summer festival held every summer. The tenth edition of San Mommè Color Park already took place on July 18, 2026, at Parco Giochi Camilla in San Mommè. The program featured games and activities for everyone, especially children, as well as live music into the late evening with Auroro Borealo, Mille Lire, and Thomaze DJ. If you’d like to plan your trip around the event, check the dates for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations: Arcigliano, Pontelungo, Cireglio, Ponte Nuovo, Piastre, Piteccio, Santomato, Bottegone.

For the main travel overview: Pistoia.