Lajatico has recently become an international tourist destination as the birthplace of Andrea Bocelli. Every year in July, a concert is held in the setting of the Teatro del Silenzio in which Bocelli himself participates together with world-class artists.
The fortress of Pietracassia
Lajatico lies on a hilly spur overlooking the Era valley (Valdera). It was the castle of the bishop of Volterra before being conquered first by Pisa and then Florence.
The historical symbol of the area is the imposing Rocca di Pietracassia, a fortress at 550 meters above sea level that represents one of the most important examples of early medieval architecture in Tuscany, built in the Langobard period to control the road leading to the copper mines of Montecatini. Its name derives from an open fissure in a huge limestone boulder rising from the ridge (“cassia” means split).
Orciatico
Particularly interesting is the village of Orciatico, whose historic core preserves a fortress from whose tower you can enjoy a splendid view of Valdera and Mount Pisano. Nearby, the small Astronomical Observatory and the remains of two windmills built at the end of the 17th century, still in good conditions.
Towards Volterra, the Medici Villa of Spedaletto, residence of Lorenzo the Magnificent. The villa was decorated with splendid frescoes, which were almost entirely lost due to a fire.
Towards the Theater of Silence
Many trails can be traveled on foot, by bike or MTB and even on horseback to discover the natural and historical beauties of the area. An 800-m trail suitable for everyone from Lajatico to the Teatro del Silenzio allows to admire one of the most beautiful views of Tuscany with “cypress avenues”.
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THINGS TO DISCOVER:
Mofeta di Borboi • Between Lajatico and Orciatico, the Borboi mofeta, a geothermal emission of carbon dioxide typical of ancient volcanic areas. We recommend visiting when the stream is rich in water, between October and May, in order to observe the boiling waters due to the rising of the gas from the subsoil.
THINGS TO KNOW:
Teatro del Silenzio • Not made of brick or concrete, the theater was conceived in 2006 as a venue surrounded by nature upon request of Andrea Bocelli, who organizes only one show here every year. It is called “del Silenzio” (“Of Silence”) because it rests all year round in the silence of the Lajatico countryside.