The Territory
Larciano
Larciano is a village in the Valdinievole, it extends in the lowlands and in medium hill: detaching itself from the eastern slopes of Montalbano, it reaches down to the Padule of Fucecchio including the Paduletta separated from the main marsh from the Bosco di Chiusi. Being a territory with mainly agricultural activity, after the Second World War it has had an increase of artisan productive activities, especially the production of materials for home care (brooms, brushes, dish towels, slippers, bags, plastic objects, etc.) reaching not only national but also international importance. Despite this transformation, the presence of agriculture is still important. its main products are wine and oil. In parallel with economic growth, the town has also maintained a strong link with the world of farmers whose values and traditions it preserves.
Castelmartini
The name is derived from an ancient fortress of the XII century. In 1297 Martinus Jacobi Admannati built a “domus” and a “castrum”. Not far from here was an ancient port which linked with the canals the marshes to the Arno river, connecting in this way the Pistoia...
The town of Cecina
Medieval village of Cecina, on the side of Montalbano, it has Etruscan origins, and we can find here walls and two access doors. 1. From the center of the square The town of Cecina is small village situated in the Montalbano hills, at little more than 130 meters above...
Larciano
Larciano Castle is a proud medieval village situated on the western slopes of Montalbano,160 m. above sea level where we have a splendid view of the Valdinievole, Fucecchio Marshes and the Pisa mountains. This excellent position has stimulated people to live here ever...
Fucecchio Marshlands
Fucecchio Marshlands The Fucecchio marshlands are the biggest in Italy, extending for about 1800 hectars, 230 of which are natural reserves instituted by the Provincial Administrations of Pistoia and Florence. Even if they were considerably reduced compared to the...
The History
The history of Larciano is centered around that of the present Larciano Castello.
From the middle of the 10th Century, Larciano is known as the property of the Counts Guidi thanks to a donation that Ranieri and Guido, sons of Count Tegrimo, made to the Cathedral and the Bishop of Pistoia. The Castle of Larciano was later confirmed to the Guidi by Arrigo VI and Frederick II.
In 1225 Larciano, with Cecina, Casi and Collecchio, was sold by the sons of Count Guido Guerra di Modigliana to the Municipality of Pistoia for 6,000 lire. Due to its position, Larciano became one of the cornerstones of the defensive system of Pistoia versus the “mountains below”; (in fact this way was called the western side of Montalbano) and this new role prompted the city to strengthen the walls and other defensive works. In 1302, during the war of the Ghibelline Pistoia against the Guelph Florence and Lucca, Larciano was conquered immediately after the surrender of Serravalle.
However, in 1310 the town was reconquered along with other territories lost by Pistoia, for the payment of 10,000 gold florins. Around 1391 the castle became a solid base organized by Pistoia and Florence, sharing the danger of an offensive in Tuscany by Gian Galeazzo Visconti.
When in 1401 Larciano submitted to Florence with all its countryside, it became the seat of one of the four Podestà in which the territory of Pistoia was organized. Among the Podestà, the most famous was Francesco Ferrucci. Subsequently, within the institutional framework of the Medici state, we find Larciano and Serravalle united in a single Podestà’s seat. In 1772 the latter became the sole seat of the Podestà, while in 1774 a community including Larciano and Lamporecchio was established.
It was only in 1897 that Larciano, obtaining the separation from this locality became an autonomous municipality, consisting of the villages of Biccimurri, Castelmartini, Cecina, Colonna, Larciano Castello e San Rocco, which housed, and still houses, the seat of the Town Hall.
The Origin of the Name
Several hypotheses have been made about the origins of the name “Larciano”.
The name is certainly of Roman origin; a Larzia family in the fourth century B.C. would have ran here a colony, called “Villa Larziana” or, as others support, the toponym would come from the name of a Roman centurion, Laertia, who would have founded a village on the south- western Montalbano in 122 B.C., called Laertian, from which Larciano.
Coturri, speaking of the origins of the country and this second hypothesis, speaks of a “praedium” (rustic fund, farm), perhaps donated to a Roman soldier who had fought in the wars against the Ligures, distinguishing by his value. In fact, according to the experts the termination in “anus” is typical of Roman settlements arising from a “praedium”.
There is also a third hypothesis, which appears the weakest, according to which the toponym would derive from the larch tree, because, in the past, it seems that the area was rich in larchwoods.
How to get to Larciano
Larciano is located in Tuscany, and more precisely in the Province of Pistoia, along the Francesca State Road that connects Monsummano Terme to Fucecchio and Vinci.
You get to Larciano from the A11 Firenze Mare at the exit Montecatini, and from there you take the state road 435 on the right; or you can get there from Empoli, always following the state road 435 “Francesca”.
In addition, Larciano can be reached by several roads that are secondary and not busy, whch also provide a good view of the landscape. From Pistoia it is advisable to go from San Baronto to Lamporecchio and from there to Larciano S.Rocco.
If you are interested in the wonderful view of the hilly landscape of Montalbano, there is also another possibility: the provincial road that passes from Cecina, through Ceppeto and Biccimurri, ending to Larciano San Rocco.