The best road cycling routes around Lajatico

The largest mine in Europe from the 19th century An experience where historical knowledge translates into sensory engagement, transforming the visit into an authentic journey of discovery. The Montecatini Val di Cecina mine is an ancient copper mine located about 1 km from the historic center. It remained active until 1907 and was, during the 19th century, the largest copper mine in Europe. The Montecatini company, one of the largest European industries, was founded here, later merging into the renowned Montedison. For visitors, it is an opportunity for a fascinating journey to learn about extraction techniques and the stories of the miners. Today, visitors can admire the 19th-century structures related to extraction, the former washing plants, parts of the galleries accessible on foot, and the former management offices.

Volterra is a historic hilltop town in Tuscany, located in the province of Pisa, famous for its ancient Etruscan origins, its medieval past, and the very long tradition of alabaster working.

Volterra is a historic hilltop town in Tuscany located in the province of Pisa, famous for its ancient Etruscan origins, medieval past, and the very long tradition of alabaster working.

The Castello di Querceto is a historic medieval fortress and a renowned winery located in the heart of Chianti Classico, precisely in the municipality of Greve in Chianti (FI). Since 1897, the property has belonged to the François family, who have transformed the estate into an international benchmark for Tuscan wine production.

Montecatini Val di Cecina is a charming medieval village located in the province of Pisa, in Tuscany, famous for its rich mining history and the magnificent view over the hills of the Val di Cecina.

Piazza Martiri della Libertà offers one of Volterra's most iconic and photographed viewpoints, combining the medieval architecture of the village with the boundless landscape of the Tuscan hills. The square's terrace directly overlooks the terracotta roofs of the historic center, offering a close-up view of the characteristic dome of the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the soaring bell tower of the Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta). In the background, the gaze extends to the Val di Cecina.

A jewel nestled among the hills of Val di Cecina, Castello di Querceto dominates the landscape with its discreet and timeless elegance. 🚴‍♂️✨ 🌾 Surrounded by vineyards and white roads, it represents one of the most evocative points of passage in the area of Montecatini Val di Cecina. 📸 The contrast between the historic architecture of the castle and the Tuscan rural landscape makes it a perfect spot for a photo stop.

Castrum Montis Leonis, as the village of Montecatini Val di Cecina was called in ancient times, and its center is indeed characterized by imposing buildings and thick black-and-white striped walls, a castle that must have served as a residence for knights from the North. For a long time it was a territory of contention between Pisa and Volterra, and that war was part of the life of this village can be understood, for example, from the two openings made transversely to the Torre dei Belforti, which allow control of the Mastio of Volterra and the Rocca Sillana, a "telescope"... of yesteryear. This territory, dotted with small villages immersed in nature, is then intimately linked to an element - "precious" in many ways - since the time of the Etruscans: copper. In the 19th century, the copper mines in this area were the largest in Europe and - although they have not been in operation since 1907 - today the tunnel, the mining site of Camporciano, the Mining Museum are still visitable, and one can also admire the various stages of the ancient processing of this element.