Things to Do

     Italians take pride in their local villages, especially in how one differs from another.  Even across a valley, growing conditions can vary enough to change the flavors of the foods, for example.  Some villages have annual sagra, a festival celebrating a town/region's most famous product.  See below for some of the fun events you may attend while here.

      But that is not all.  We also have unique museums!  [See below this featured event happening SOON for the museum list.]
     Do you like hiking and exploring history and nature together?  Keep reading for A Giro Trek!

Coming Up!  Two Sundays in March RAIN DATES, now APRIL 2018 in San Quirico of Valleriana, Tuscany, Italy

MMM-Chestnut pancakes with Nutella or ricotta cheese

Ongoing in Pietrabuona:  Conversations in English [usually helping the native Italian speakers to learn, but all are welcome for fun exchanges]

Museums:

Pietrabuona:  Museo della Carta [Paper Museum]  

The River Pescia runs through Valleriana.  Once there were about ten paper mills along this river in Valleriana.  Now we have only two in production today.  Learn more about the history and the paper products here:

The Mine of Publio Biagini - Historical ethnographic museum of the miner and quarryman

[La Miniera di Publio - Museo storico etnografico del minatore e cavatore]
Harvesting stone has been going on in Valleriana for centuries.  Publio has amassed an impressive collection of gems and minerals.  He has also collected many of the tools that cavers and quarrymen have used over time.  He passionately shares stories about his many items [although in Italian]. 
Via 17 Agosto 1944 N°10/AVellano - Pescia (PT)
 The Museum is open every Monday through Saturday from
10,00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays, by appointment:
Telefono e fax: 0572 409181 - cellulare: 330 910517 - e mail: laminieradipublio@libero.it

Explore Valleriana by foot with Danilo Giusti of A Giro Trek

Hiking and Tours:

Join Danilo Giusti of A Giro Trek [giro is Italian for 'wander, stroll, tour, turn'] 
https://www.facebook.com/AGIROTREK/

 

 

 

Annual Events Listed by Date & Village in Valleriana, Italy:

January 5 [the eve before the Epiphany on the 6th]:
Sorana:  The Befana visits children and parades through the village, ending in a dinner at a local restaurant.  This is Italy's Catholic / Christian holiday of the Epiphany.  The Befana is an old woman [costumed] who visits children and gives them either a stocking full of sweets [if good] and lumps of coal [if they need to improve their behaviour].

In 2017 the new generation donned the costumes

Lots of candy for this young gal by the Befana and Befanotto

March:  2 Sundays in mid-month

San Quiricio:  Sagra del Neccio [chestnut pancake served with either ricotta cheese or Nutella]

Note:  In 2018, the 50th anniversary event was rained out and rescheduled for April 8 and April 15.

Here are some images from a past sagra in San Quirico:
http://angoliditoscana.it/sagra-del-neccio-domenica-11-18-marzo-san-quirico-valleriana/

Medicina:  All Summer Long:

Az. Agrituristica Albero and Foglia by Stefano Natali
Via IV Novembre 8,
Medicina (Pescia/ Pistoia district of Tuscany)
Tel. 331 5961507
Web site (which we are finishing):  http://www.alberoefogliapescia.it

     We are an agricultural company which in the summer is a farm offering the opportunity to dine outdoors in the woods. We do not offer overnight stays, but we have affiliated landlords. In addition, as you will see from the site, we take care of teaching, excursions and care of the territory, as well as clearly producing excellent chestnut flour and goat's and pecorino [sheep] cheeses.

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August:

Castlevecchio:  
The feast in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows celebrated on the first Sunday of August [the images of the parade and statue].

Sunday AFTER Ferragosto:
La Sagra del panino [prosciutto sandwiches] is held in the main piazza and includes a DJ for family fun.  It is held on the Sunday after the Ferragosto (15 August).

     "la sagra del panino viene fatta la domenica successiva al giorno del ferragosto mentre questa festa e' la festa in onore della Madonna Addolorata che si festeggia la prima domenica di agosto."

Sagra del Panino - Castelvecchio Food festival Valleriana Tuscany

Sagra del Panino - Castelvecchio-Arts and Crafts Activities for Kids

Last Sunday in August:
Sorana:  Sagra dei Fagioli [beans]:  Dinner in the piazza [including the white beans, of course] with dancing after; fun for ALL ages!

Love these outdoor dining parties!

Festa del fagiolo Bean Party Sorana Piazza dinner and dancing

October:  

Vellano:  3 Sundays in mid-October:  Sagra delle Frugiate [roasted chestnuts]: You may also buy chestnut flour [for making necci and other goodies] and if the weather is good, other vendors are there selling their hand-crafted items.

Newly fallen Chestnuts

Sagra delle Frugiate [Roasted Chestnut Festival] Vellano Valleriana Tuscany

December 30:

San Quirico:  il Focarone >  This is a fun annual festival in the main square.  It features a huge bonfire [il focarone] with the winter holiday tree and other decorations in the piazza.  You may also choose to eat sausages or Baccalà [a dried and salted cod; baked white fish that the Tuscans enjoy eating here, but get it early as it usually runs out!].  There is also necci [the chestnut pancake traditionally made in Tuscany, served with your choice of ricotta cheese or Nutella, a hazelnut chocolate spread].  If you crave vin brulé [mulled wine, usually enjoyed during the winter holidays], you may go upstairs into the community bar.  Great fun!