The best panoramic viewpoints of Serravalle Pistoiese

The medieval village of Serravalle Pistoiese, strategically located on the eponymous pass on the Pistoia side of the Montalbano hills, was in the Middle Ages the military outpost of the city of Pistoia, controlling access to the Valdinievole valley.

With its fortifications, winding streets, and stone glimpses, the village has preserved its ancient charm, remaining a place where history and landscapes intertwine.

Even today, thanks to its imposing towers and the gentle terraced hills surrounding it, Serravalle Pistoiese offers unique panoramic viewpoints from which to admire the scenery and be captivated by the beauty of the area.

Here are some suggestions to enjoy some of the best views of the Montalbano hills and the surrounding plains.

The Barbarossa Tower

An iconic stronghold of Serravalle Pistoiese, the Barbarossa Tower, over 40 meters high, once controlled the valley and allowed communication with other towers on the Montalbano hills.

From its summit, visitors can observe the village’s urban development between the 12th and 14th centuries, including the bell towers of the churches of Santo Stefano and San Michele Arcangelo, the Rocca Nuova (or Castruccio’s Fortress), and the remains of the city walls.

Looking out over the surrounding hills, you can spot Castellina, Vinacciano, Monsummano Alto, and the Rocca of Montecatini Alto. Below, on one side lies the city of Pistoia with the bell tower of the Cathedral of San Zeno and the dome of the Basilica della Madonna dell’Umiltà; on the other side, the Nievole Valley stretches out, with the spa towns of Montecatini and Monsummano.

The Barbarossa Tower can be visited by appointment during the opening hours of the Serravalle Pistoiese Tourist Office. Click here to learn more.

Panoramic Bench of Castellina

Descending from Serravalle Pistoiese along a scenic road, you reach Castellina. Near the village square, which houses the ancient church of San Filippo and San Giacomo, there is a panoramic bench on Valenta street (via Valenta).

From here, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the medieval villages that close off the two valleys of the Ombrone and Nievole streams, with a glimpse of the city of Pistoia and the plains of Pistoia, Prato, and Florence. On the clearest days, it is even possible to see Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence.

Panoramic Square of Vinacciano

Nestled on the Montalbano hills, near the castles of Monsummano and Montevettolini, the village of Vinacciano was part of the medieval network of fortifications guarding the line between the Nievole and Ombrone valleys.

The road leading to the village, dominated by the pentagonal tower of Castruccio Castracani, winds through olive groves, gardens, and panoramic terraces. From the square in front of the church of Santi Marcello e Lucia, built between the 16th and 17th centuries on the site of a previous oratory, visitors can enjoy a unique view of the plains and the lush green hills of the Montalbano.

Along the Romea Strata

Leaving Vinacciano along the Romea Strata, you follow a scenic route from which you can spot the Dome of the Basilica della Madonna dell’Umiltà in Pistoia and trace, in spirit, the third stage of the Cammino di San Jacopo. The path passes by the Convento di Giaccherino, the Romanesque parish church of San Michele a Groppoli in Marliana, and leads to the Barbarossa Tower in Serravalle.

After a short walk through the forest along this ancient pilgrimage route, you reach a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the plains, dominated by the hill of Vinacciano, with the Palazzo Sozzifanti and the pentagonal tower of Castruccio’s Rocca.