Pianella: Routes, Villa di Geggiano and the Festa di fine agosto

Pianella is a district of the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga. There are several different options to consider when planning your trip: the “Alla scoperta dell’Oltrarbia” route, history and garden culture at Villa di Geggiano, the Festa di fine agosto and the historic Piscina Pianella sports facility. When planning your stay, you can decide whether tours, an appointment to visit the villa, a traditional festival or the Piscina should be your main focus.

Routes: distance and historical background

“Alla scoperta dell’Oltrarbia” is an approximately 50-kilometre circular route that runs mostly along unpaved roads. The return journey to Pianella is easier along this route. Its length, surface and return journey are useful points of reference when planning your tours. Another route is called “Da Pianella a Castelnuovo Berardenga: viaggio nel Chianti senese”. It passes through an area where, in the Middle Ages, the people of Siena built the fortresses of Sesta and Cetamura to defend against the Florentines. The routes described therefore have different focuses: the circular route emphasizes distance and terrain, while the other route provides a connection to the region’s medieval history. If you would like to keep the historical context in mind while travelling, the construction of the fortresses offers a concrete point of reference.

Villa di Geggiano: gardens, architectural history and wine

In 1768, Villa di Geggiano was transformed into a large villa with a chapel and garden. The garden includes a Teatro di verzura, which was used for theatrical performances in the 18th century. The villa’s architectural history is thus connected to a specific historical use of its garden. Small groups can arrange private tours of the villa and its gardens; visits are by appointment only. Make arrangements before your visit so you can plan this part of your trip accordingly.

Villa di Geggiano also produces wine using organic methods. Local Sangiovese grapes are used to make wines with sustainable methods and traditional winemaking techniques, expressing their local identity. You can explore different aspects of the villa: its architecture and garden history, as well as its winemaking and local Sangiovese grapes. These are distinct topics related to Villa di Geggiano, and each can be considered separately when planning your trip.

Festa di fine agosto

The Festa di fine agosto is a traditional event that has been held in Pianella for around forty years. Each year, it is organised by an amateur group from Pianella. The high-quality food on offer features recipes associated with Tuscan tradition. If you would like to plan your stay around the festival, check the specific event dates: the tradition has a long history, but individual programmes are tied to particular dates. This allows you to take the festival into account when choosing when to travel.

Piscina Pianella

Piscina Pianella is a historic sports facility in the district of Pianella. For the 2025 summer season, it was scheduled to open daily from 09:00 to 19:00. This information refers to the planned 2025 season. If you plan to visit in a later season, check the current information about the facility.

Discover more destinations: Quercegrossa, Pievasciata, Casetta, San Felice, San Gusmè, Monteaperti, Villa A Sesta, Guistrigona.

For the broader travel overview: Castelnuovo Berardenga.