Calci is one of the most interesting small towns spread on the slopes of the Monti Pisani, a chain of low mountains in the nearby of Pisa. It is placed in the so-called Valgraziosa (literally ‘graceful valley’) overlooked by the Monte Serra to the north (917m sm) and, to the east, by the Verruca peak (537m sm) on top of which a XIth c. fortress dominates the valley below. Through centuries the surrounding area has been renowned for its water-mills and olive trees which still produce one of the best quality of extra vergine olive oil in Tuscany. Surrounded by this astonishing landscape lays one of the most beautiful charterhouses of Europe. This carthusian monastery is an uppermost example of baroque style in the province of Pisa. Founded in 1366 but completely restructured and sumptuously decorated in the XVIIIth century, this Monastery was run by Carthusian Friars until 1972. Today some of the Charterhouse rooms are opened to the public for guided tours to discover the friars’ spiritual and material everyday life, mostly spent in silence and solitude. During summertime the Certosa Festival takes place in the main courtyard: exhibitions, concerts and performances. Part of this imposing monastery now houses the Museum of Natural History, particurarly interesting for children, run by the University of Pisa. It houses one of the largest collections of cetaceans skeletons in Europe, while halls dedicated to dinosaurs are being set up. (booking in advance is required: 050/2212970)Among the surrounding olive groves of this enchanting valley still lay the remains of other antique monastaries such as Nicosia and, not far away, the village of Montemagno nested on the mountain. The beautiful Romanesque Parish Church dedicated to Ss John and Ermolao was built. right in the centre of Calci in the XII c. Of great interest are the baptismal font (carved in a monolithic bloque of local limestone, probably by Biduino) and a fragment of a crucifix painted on wood.

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