Uzzano
Uzzano is a small town in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, set among the hills of the Valdinievole valley between Pescia and Mont...
Updated 21 July 2026
This season · July · Summer
What to do in Uzzano now
The story
The story of Uzzano
Introduction and location
Uzzano lies in the Valdinievole, the valley in the province of Pistoia bordered by the Lucca hills, Montalbano and the first slopes of the Apennines, not far from Pescia and Montecatini Terme. The municipal territory unfolds on different levels: the historic core, perched on a hill, and the more recent hamlets spread across the plain below. This in-between position, half hill and half plain, has always made Uzzano a crossing point between the Valdinievole and neighbouring valleys, with an economy rooted in agriculture and, more recently, in the ornamental plant-nursery business found across the whole area.
History and origins
Uzzano's origins date back to the medieval period, when the fortified village, today known as Uzzano Castello, developed as a defensive outpost along the shifting borders between the territories of Lucca, Pistoia and Florence, long contested among Tuscany's rival powers. Traces of this past are still visible in the layout of the old core, with narrow lanes following the slope of the hill and remnants of the ancient walls. Over the centuries the town shared the broader history of the Valdinievole, coming under Florentine influence and gradually growing into an independent farming community.
Nature and landscape
The landscape around Uzzano is typical of the hilly Valdinievole: terraced olive groves, rows of vines and wide stretches of plant nurseries that keep the countryside green all year round. From the upper village the view sweeps over the plain below and the surrounding hills, reaching as far as the Pistoia Apennines on clear days. A network of country roads and hillside paths invites walks and bike rides among olive trees, small streams and neighbouring villages, through a farming landscape that remains well preserved.
Things to do and see
The heart of a visit to Uzzano is the old town of Uzzano Castello, reached along an uphill walk that offers glimpses of the valley at every turn. Here visitors can admire the medieval street layout, the remains of the fortifications and the village's parish church. Around the town, the ornamental nurseries of the Valdinievole give a distinctive character to the territory, while nearby Pescia and Montecatini Terme, both a short drive away, complete an itinerary of art, nature and spa relaxation in the Tuscan countryside.
Flavours and traditions
The cuisine of Uzzano follows the rural tradition of the Valdinievole, built on simple dishes linked to the produce of the vegetable garden and the olive grove: vegetable soups, unsalted Tuscan bread, local extra-virgin olive oil and wine from the surrounding hills. Plant nursery farming, besides being an economic activity, has become part of the local identity, shaping both the landscape and the livelihood of many Uzzano families. Village gatherings, often tied to the farming calendar and harvest seasons, remain an important occasion for the local community to come together.
Not to be missed
- The historic hilltop borgo of Uzzano Castello and its old lanes
- The remains of the medieval fortifications and the old town's layout
- The panoramic view over the Valdinievole valley and the Pistoia Apennines from the castle hill
- The ornamental plant nurseries that shape the surrounding countryside
- Nearby Pescia and Montecatini Terme, both an easy day-trip away
To see
What to see in Uzzano
Routes · Trovido Route
