Tuscany isn’t short on beautiful scenery or incredible views and ways to take them in. So many of her towns are built on hilltops, affording the most amazing sweeping vistas over the surrounding landscapes. There are also plenty of buildings all over that you can visit to admire the view from up on top of them. However, if you really want to admire a good view, the best combo is a nice hike to work up a little bit of a sweat, some fresh air and natural surroundings to admire along the way, and then a great view from the top of the trail as a reward for all of your efforts. Like hilltop towns and pretty vantage points, there is not a shortage of great hiking trails to choose from in Tuscany, however, if we were to recommend one today, it would be the Passo di Dante on Monte Pisano. If you have found a vacation rental in Pisa and you’re looking for somewhere to go for a pleasant and not overly challenging hike that boasts history and truly excellent views, then this is just the spot for you!
Monte Pisano has quite a few different routes to choose from and these routes are of various levels of difficulty, meaning that there is probably something to suit everyone, no matter their kind of previous experience with hiking or fitness level. All boast excellent views – with panoramas over the Tuscan Coast to one side of the mountain and across to the Lucca and Apuan Alps on the other side – and traverse through a stunning landscape made up of forestry dotted by ruins of ancient monasteries, pretty little churches, and old farmhouses.
Monte Pisano has quite a few different routes to choose from and these routes are of various levels of difficulty, meaning that there is probably something to suit everyone, no matter their kind of previous experience with hiking or fitness level. All boast excellent views – with panoramas over the Tuscan Coast to one side of the mountain and across to the Lucca and Apuan Alps on the other side – and traverse through a stunning landscape made up of forestry dotted by ruins of ancient monasteries, pretty little churches, and old farmhouses.
The trail that is called “Passo di Dante” is around 5km long and is a moderate and moderately trafficked loop that starts near San Giuliano Terme and near Santa Maria del Giudice and heads up to the peak of Monte Pisano. Along the way, you will encounter wildflowers and an engraved plaque with a quote from Dante’s Commedia:
“Questi pareva a me maestro e donno,
cacciando il lupo e lupicini al monte
per che i Pisan veder Lucca non ponno.”
“This one appeared to me as lord and master,
Hunting the wolf and whelps upon the mountain
For which the Pisans cannot Lucca see.”
Taken from the 33rd canto of the first book in Dante’s famous series, Inferno, the passage refers to Dante’s conversation with Ugolino di Guelfo della Gherardesca, Count of Donoratico, in the circle of traitors and refers to the prophetic dream he had that foretold his fate. After seizing command of the Signoria of Pisa with the title of Podestà, in order to extricate himself from the ongoing struggles of Pisa with Lucca, Florence, and Genova, he ceded the castles of Ripafratta, Bientina and Viareggio to Lucca and the castles of Fucecchio, Santa Maria a Monte, Castelfranco and Montecavoli to Florence. However, these were strategic fortresses and handing them over only weakened Pisa. Furthermore, these moves made him unpopular with the people of Pisa and he then had to worry about power struggles with both his nephew and the Archbishop of Pisa, Bishop Ruggieri. In the end, he was locked away in a tower with some of his children and was forced to watch them starve to death.
The spot at which this passage is quoted overlooks all of the lands involved in the tale and while it may evoke a terrible image, one can quickly overcome that with the spectacular view afforded from the site. It is simply breath-taking and a must for those exploring Pisa and this part of Tuscany who want to really admire the incredible landscapes in the area.
“Questi pareva a me maestro e donno,
cacciando il lupo e lupicini al monte
per che i Pisan veder Lucca non ponno.”
“This one appeared to me as lord and master,
Hunting the wolf and whelps upon the mountain
For which the Pisans cannot Lucca see.”
Taken from the 33rd canto of the first book in Dante’s famous series, Inferno, the passage refers to Dante’s conversation with Ugolino di Guelfo della Gherardesca, Count of Donoratico, in the circle of traitors and refers to the prophetic dream he had that foretold his fate. After seizing command of the Signoria of Pisa with the title of Podestà, in order to extricate himself from the ongoing struggles of Pisa with Lucca, Florence, and Genova, he ceded the castles of Ripafratta, Bientina and Viareggio to Lucca and the castles of Fucecchio, Santa Maria a Monte, Castelfranco and Montecavoli to Florence. However, these were strategic fortresses and handing them over only weakened Pisa. Furthermore, these moves made him unpopular with the people of Pisa and he then had to worry about power struggles with both his nephew and the Archbishop of Pisa, Bishop Ruggieri. In the end, he was locked away in a tower with some of his children and was forced to watch them starve to death.
The spot at which this passage is quoted overlooks all of the lands involved in the tale and while it may evoke a terrible image, one can quickly overcome that with the spectacular view afforded from the site. It is simply breath-taking and a must for those exploring Pisa and this part of Tuscany who want to really admire the incredible landscapes in the area.
