Certosa di Calci
Founded in 1366 by the Archbishop of Pisa in the quiet of Val Graziosa, the Certosa di Calci is one of Italy's most impressive monastic complexes. It reached its current size between the 17th and 18th centuries, and its double monumental facade is visible from two tree-lined avenues.
About 10 minutes by car from La Tana del Cinghiale
The Carthusian monastery
The tour includes the honour courtyard, pharmacy, church with its chapels, the Fathers' and Chapter cloisters, refectory, guest wing and Grand Ducal cloister. All floors are in Carrara marble in three tones — white, black and grey — arranged in perspective, with optical effects that shift depending on the viewing angle.
The community comprised exactly 14 monks, all of noble origin, who lived in strict enclosure. Among the monastery's treasures is the 12th-century Atlantic Bible, an extraordinary illuminated codex in four volumes.
The Natural History Museum
Since 1979 the Certosa has housed the University of Pisa's Natural History Museum, one of Europe's most important. The Cetacean Gallery, with imposing suspended skeletons, is among the continent's most complete.
The museum also includes Italy's largest freshwater aquarium, mineral and fossil collections and educational trails for families and children. Each chapel features marble altars and frescoes with unique floor designs.
Calci and Val Graziosa
Val Graziosa is a natural amphitheatre sheltered to the north by Monte Pisano and open towards the sea: terraced olive groves, farmhouses, convents and churches amid olive and chestnut woods. Calci's name derives from ancient Roman-era limestone quarries.
Calci was known as the "Land of a Hundred Mills" for its abundant water: the Molino Galgalandi still works perfectly with its hydraulic wheel. Worth visiting are the Pieve dei Santi Giovanni ed Ermolao and the trails climbing to the Fortezza della Verruca.
We're getting everything ready to welcome you
La Tana del Cinghiale will open in 2027. The country house is being prepared to offer accommodation immersed in the Tuscan countryside. The apartments will be available as holiday rentals.
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