"Exploring Peccioli: A Journey Through Art and History"

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Hello dear friends,

As I mentioned yesterday, today I'll talk about a village that is currently becoming quite famous. I had already shared a post about this significant Tuscan village some time ago, and so did my dear friend Noemi. However, today I want to talk to you again about Peccioli because these days, thanks to the television program aired on Rai, it has become the village of villages for 2024. Therefore, I believe it's appropriate to write something about this important place that manages to combine contemporary art with ancient art.

Peccioli is a medieval village nestled in the hills of Pisa, a true gem of Tuscany. The photos I'm sharing with you today were taken recently. Unfortunately, the light is what it is because I didn't find a beautiful sunny day. However, driven by an irresistible curiosity, I crossed the village gate and immersed myself in a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys.

The first thing that strikes you about this place is the numerous stone houses with their roofs of red tiles and flowered windows that transport you to a bygone era. At every corner, there is always a surprise—a hidden square, an ancient fountain. Fortunately, the silence was broken by the buzz of people rushing to visit this place and by the distant tolling of the bells of the Church of San Verano.

I headed to the church, and of course, I was struck by the bell tower towering towards the sky, serving as a beacon to guide travelers. I must say I was very surprised by the beauty of this church, which, as often happens in these villages, is sometimes more beautiful inside than outside.

From Peccioli, one thing is certain: you can admire a beautiful breathtaking panorama of the valley stretching as far as the eye can see. It's really beautiful how it's nestled among woods and green hills.

I also stopped at a small craft shop—there are many—where I bought a souvenir to remember my visit to this place. I was struck by the owner, an elderly man with calloused hands but a sincere smile. He even gave me a sprig of rosemary that was near the shop, probably as a welcome for visiting his village, and for me, that was a beautiful gesture.

As you can see from other photos I've shared, Peccioli is not just a medieval village but also a reference center for contemporary art—a sort of open-air museum. Here, you'll find the MACCA Open-air Museum of Contemporary Art with over 40 permanent installations that interact with the urban and landscape context. I believe this surely contributed to the village's victory.

From my point of view, I found it fantastic not to confine these works of art within closed walls but to integrate them into the village's architecture. This certainly gives visitors the opportunity for an immersive experience, reflecting, as I think, on the relationship between humans and the environment.

I hope you enjoyed these photos I shared. See you in my next post, and I wish you all a good day!