If you're spending any of your Tuscan holidays in the coastal province of Pisa then why not take a day to explore the spectacular walled town of Bientina? This beautiful place was protected from attack during the provincial wars of the Middle Ages by a deep moat that runs around its outer fortress walls and could only be entered through four drawbridges.
Why not stay a day or two in a luxury villa in Orentano, a nearby town, with excellent views of the area?
Bientina, meaning ‘Two Hedges’ is a very ancient town, with written records of its existence dating as far back as the year 793.
Visitors wishing to spend a day or two in or around this historical place have a fine selection of vacation villas and other great value holiday rentals to choose from.
Worth visiting on arrival to the town is the magnificent church of Santa Maria Assunta which has a massive nine altars! There are many exquisite oil paintings hung here that were created by famous Tuscan artists that date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Also here is a 17th century organ designed by Bartolomeo Ravani di Lucca.
Why not stay a day or two in a luxury villa in Orentano, a nearby town, with excellent views of the area?
Bientina, meaning ‘Two Hedges’ is a very ancient town, with written records of its existence dating as far back as the year 793.
Visitors wishing to spend a day or two in or around this historical place have a fine selection of vacation villas and other great value holiday rentals to choose from.
Worth visiting on arrival to the town is the magnificent church of Santa Maria Assunta which has a massive nine altars! There are many exquisite oil paintings hung here that were created by famous Tuscan artists that date from the 16th and 17th centuries. Also here is a 17th century organ designed by Bartolomeo Ravani di Lucca.
The town’s patron saint is Saint Valentino Martire who was fabled as being Italy’s most famous exorcist. He is said to have performed many miracles on people possessed by the Devil.
His relics are housed in the Santa Maria Assunta church also and are visited by thousands of tourists every year. Visitors would enjoy a stroll around the beautiful Museo di Arte Sacra beside the church which displays a wide range of admirable sacred paintings dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.
In the afternoon, enjoy picking one of several lovely cafes and restaurants here where you could enjoy a delicious local pasta dish and a glass of tasty wine made in the locality. Or why not purchase all the ingredients you could possible need for a tasty picnic lunch in a local shop and sit out in the sunshine enjoying the view as you eat!
His relics are housed in the Santa Maria Assunta church also and are visited by thousands of tourists every year. Visitors would enjoy a stroll around the beautiful Museo di Arte Sacra beside the church which displays a wide range of admirable sacred paintings dating from the 16th to 19th centuries.
In the afternoon, enjoy picking one of several lovely cafes and restaurants here where you could enjoy a delicious local pasta dish and a glass of tasty wine made in the locality. Or why not purchase all the ingredients you could possible need for a tasty picnic lunch in a local shop and sit out in the sunshine enjoying the view as you eat!
Afterwards, why not visit the Etruscan Museum which is located in the deconsecrated church of San Girolamo. This permanent display teaches tourists about the history of this fascinating ancient civilisation and includes an interesting collection of Etruscan and Roman artefacts found from archaeological digs that took place in the area in the 1950s.
It’s open Sundays between 10am and 12pm and opens by appointment only on other days. The museum is closed during the months of July and August.
A wonderful architectural aspect of the town that’s not to be missed is the renovated Mastio di Bientina, which is one of the 14th century towers built here that was once known as ‘The Tower of the Oil Presser’.
It has an unusual pentagon base and was the guard tower of one of the ancient entryways into Bientina. There is a spectacular view from the top that gives the visitor a breathtaking view of the green Tuscan hills and nearby hamlets.
This would be an excellent addition to your holiday if you enjoy immersing yourself in authentic Tuscan culture; read through our related articles on stunning Orange Flag awarded towns for ideas of other places to explore during your vacation here!
It’s open Sundays between 10am and 12pm and opens by appointment only on other days. The museum is closed during the months of July and August.
A wonderful architectural aspect of the town that’s not to be missed is the renovated Mastio di Bientina, which is one of the 14th century towers built here that was once known as ‘The Tower of the Oil Presser’.
It has an unusual pentagon base and was the guard tower of one of the ancient entryways into Bientina. There is a spectacular view from the top that gives the visitor a breathtaking view of the green Tuscan hills and nearby hamlets.
This would be an excellent addition to your holiday if you enjoy immersing yourself in authentic Tuscan culture; read through our related articles on stunning Orange Flag awarded towns for ideas of other places to explore during your vacation here!
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: DocteurCosmos / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: DocteurCosmos / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
