The town of Pescia, heart of the green and remote Svizzera Pesciatina, is a city whose monuments bear witness to its history. The Pescia Cathedral, the old parish church (once controlled by the Bishop of Lucca), is an emblem of medieval history, while its secular municipal structures tell a different story. Originally a castle-city, Florence divided Pescia from Lucca in 1339. Since then, it followed Florence’s whims, later becoming a part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Head to the heart of the city and you’ll find the Gothic churches of Santi Stefano e Nicolao or the Church of San Francesco, whose interior vaunts a remarkable 13th-century altarpiece by Bonaventura Berlinghieri portraying the life of Saint Francis. Be sure not to miss the Oratory of the Madonna di Pie’ di Piazza (designed by Buggianino), the Pacini Theater or the Cardini and Cecchi palaces.
The historical center was built around the cathedral we see today (the old parish church of Santa Maria). However, Grand Ducal influence was particularly prevalent in the 17th and 18th centuries with the development of a myriad laic institutions that arose during the Age of Enlightenment. Pescia’s many religious structures were subsequently rebuilt according to the canons of modern art.Today, Pescia is one of the most important centers of flower cultivation in Italy, perfect for flower lovers of every kind. Nearby, you can also visit the village of Collodi, a small medieval town famous for the fairytale, ‘Pinocchio.’