Serravalle Pistoiese

Set halfway between Pistoia and Montecatini Terme, the village still retains its medieval fortress structure, with narrow, paved streets that climb among the houses, the small squares that suddenly overlook the valley floor, and the two towers that stand out on the top of the hill.

The municipality of Serravalle extends on the eastern slope of Montalbano, with its olive groves and such ancient, medieval villages as Vinacciano and Castellina. A renowned centre for artisanal embroidery Casalguidi is known for the original “Casale stitch” with designs linked to peasant culture and Romanesque art. Embroidery skills are kept alive by the cultural association of the Casale Embroidery Club.

Not to be missed: the remains of the castle plus the panorama seen from the top of the tower at the Rocca Nuova. There are two churches inside the walls: San Michele, perhaps of Lombard origin, and Santo Stefano, which instead dates to the 12th
century.