Bacchereto: Majolica, village history and Via Medicea

Bacchereto brings together a long history of majolica, archaeological traces and two stages of the Via Medicea. This means that different interests come together when planning your trip: on one hand, ceramic traditions and building history; on the other, hiking routes with specific distances. The historical records range from a castle dating to the early 12th century to majolica production, which developed through the late 16th century.

Majolica and village history

From the last decades of the 14th century until the end of the 16th century, a thriving production of high-quality majolica developed in Bacchereto. The wares were exported to many parts of Tuscany. The pottery thus represents both a local craft and a production whose market extended beyond Bacchereto.

The Complesso di S. Maria Assunta displays archaeological examples of local ceramic production from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The complex houses the majolica exhibition and is considered the heart of the old village. Here, the history of ceramics meets a central landmark of old Bacchereto.

Archaeological traces and tradition

Restoration work and archaeological investigations at the complex revealed walls, a gate, a road and a tower belonging to a castle from the early 12th century. The finds therefore include several features of the historic site. This castle predates the flourishing of majolica production, which began only in the last decades of the 14th century.

The ceramic kilns offer a tangible measure of the history of the craft: between the 15th and 16th centuries, six kilns were in operation in Bacchereto; one of them still survives. This combines a historical figure with a surviving example of local production.

Casa Toia adds another kind of historical connection. The building dates from the 14th or 15th century. According to tradition, it was the home of Lucia di Zoso, Leonardo da Vinci’s maternal grandmother. The connection to her is part of local tradition; alongside the architectural and craft heritage, Casa Toia represents a distinct thread in the village’s history.

Via Medicea: comparing two stages

The second stage of the Via Medicea runs from Artimino to Bacchereto. It is 22.1 kilometres long, graded moderate, with a stated walking time of 6 hours and 15 minutes. The third stage starts in Bacchereto and ends in Vinci. It is listed as 18 kilometres long, also graded moderate, with a walking time of 6 hours and 40 minutes.

By comparison, the third stage is 4.1 kilometres shorter but has a walking time that is 25 minutes longer. Taken together, the distance and time give a more accurate picture of the effort involved than distance alone. When assessing a hiking stage, you can consider these different distances and walking times as well as the shared “moderate” rating.

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