Attractions and Places To See around Ponsacco - Top 20

The Parish Church of San Martino: Architectural Highlights Perched on a tuff spur opposite the village, and separated from it by a deep escarpment, the parish church is unique because it is predominantly built of terracotta (the façade is stone), like most medieval parish churches in Tuscany. The construction of the parish church dates back to the second half of the 13th century, when a new parish church was created, detached from the previous parish church of San Gervasio. The Interior Of grandiose proportions, the parish church appears to have a rather uniform masonry, despite having been restored several times over the centuries. According to studies conducted on its architectural structure, different periods of construction appear to coexist. Nevertheless, the most striking style is late Romanesque. The interior consists of three naves of five bays with brick columns, a raised presbytery, and three side chapels. Inside, there is also a hexagonal baptismal font, a holy water stoup, and a large marble basin. The latter, destroyed in the 17th century, was presumably used for the immersion baptismal rite and came from the church of Santa Maria da Ripezzano, near Palaia. The parish church is also a scenic location for ceremonies and weddings. https://www.terredipisa.it/attrazione/palaia-pieve-san-martino/

EGO, the European Gravitational Observatory, located in Cascina, in the Pisan countryside, is the institutional headquarters of the Virgo experiment, the only gravitational wave detector in Europe and one of four in the world. Gravitational waves are very faint cosmic signals that allow us to observe extraordinary phenomena in the deep Universe, such as the merging of black holes or stars. https://www.ego-gw.it/mission/ Book a guided tour, remotely or in person VISIT EGO & THE VIRGO INTERFEROMETER

A medieval town with charming streets and climbs. Buildings full of history.

Long straight on flat ground. Recommended? I don't know….

The historic town center is always worth a stop!

Lari is a town located in the Pisan hills, whose economy is mainly agricultural. Among the fruit production of its territory, the cherry stands out. The whole area, in fact, is famous not only for the large quantity of cherries produced (half of the whole of Tuscany), but also for their variety and renowned quality, so much so that the DOP (i.e. PDO, protected designation of origin) , was requested with the name "Ciliegia di Lari". The biodiversity and quality of the cherries of the Pisan hills is due not only to the peculiarities of the soils and the climate, but also to the knowledge and experience gained over time by the numerous agricultural producers in the wake of tradition. Every year between May and June, in the historic center of Lari there is a Cherry Festival (and local food and wine products) accompanied by cultural and folkloristic events. An opportunity not to be missed!

Lari is famous for its Castello dei Vicari, located at the top of the hill and in the center of the city. This interesting fortress was started around the year 1000 in a strategic point of the Arno valley and grew in splendor until 1400, when it began to host the Vicars, i.e. the magistrates who had the task of administering a large part of the Pisan territory on behalf of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Today, after being restored, it is open to the public and hosts conferences, meetings and exhibitions, as well as guided tours, entertainment, concerts, theater, wedding ceremonies and other initiatives for groups and school parties. Timetable: 01.01 — 31.03 and 01.11 — 31.12: Saturday and holidays from 10.30am to 12.30am and from 3pm to 6pm 01.04 — 31.05: Monday-friday from 3.30pm to 7pm. Saturday and holidays from 10.30am to 12.30am and from 3.30pm to 7pm 01.06 — 30.09: Every day from 10:30am to 13:00pm/3:00pm to 7:00pm 01.10 — 31.10 Monday-friday from 3pm to 6pm. Saturday and holidays from 10.30am to 12.30am and from 3pm to 6pm Full price ticket €4.00 Guided tour on booking €5.00 Reduced ticket and school parties €3.00 For reservations or other information, tel 0587 687116 or mail to info@castellodilari.it

This is the Rocca del Brunelleschi, commissioned to the architect Filippo Brunelleschi after the village besieged for eight months by the Florentines, had been definitively conquered by them against the city of Pisa. The victory for Florence had been very important and had to be maintained over time: Vicopisano covered a decidedly strategic area thanks to the confluence of the Arno river which connected it to Pisa and the Auser river which put it in communication with Lake Sextum and therefore with the Lucchesia. . In 1435 the project was entrusted to Filippo Brunelleschi who showed his idea to the government commission through a project made of wood and clay; the project gathered enthusiasm and work began immediately which drastically changed a large part of the town of Vicopisano. The existing tower was modified with the aim of being impregnable and autonomous in terms of water and food.