Breathtaking views and ancient ruins
A modern village surrounded by greenery that dates back to the early 1900s, a tourist destination of excellence since the 1920s. Panicagliora in fact encapsulates the more recent history of this area at the gateway to the Pistoian mountains. More specifically, Panicagliora was formed as a hamlet in the 1920s, when it began to be frequented by all those tourists who moved here from the spa resort of Montecatini, seeking the serenity of the countryside and greenery. The Stone Trail and the Road Bike Trail pass through Panicagliora.
What to see
Today Panicagliora is a well-equipped tourist destination, surrounded by chestnut forests, and vast, sunny glades. The breathtaking views of the ridges are certainly not to be missed. A landscape stretching from Montalbano to the Valdinievole plain and reaching the highest peaks of the Tuscan-Emilian side. Panicagliora is also home to the small Oratory of San Pietro in Panicagliora. But not to be missed is the path that leads to one of the main attractions of the area: the ruins of the fascinating Ancient parish church of Sant’Andrea di Furfalo.
The ancient parish church of Sant'Andrea di Furfalo
From the village of Serra Pistoiese starts the path to the ruins of the ancient Pieve di Sant’Andrea di Furfalo. A magical place at the gateway to the woods, it is probably of early medieval origin. In the 7th and 8th centuries it was part of the line of defense to face the advance of the Lombards toward the Pistoian mountains. The parish church, called “Pievaccia,” has been partly restored and can be reached by a trekking walk. On this path it is also possible to admire the Castrimoro fountain, restored a few years ago. To date, the ruins of the ancient parish church host cultural events.
