June 2nd Festival at the Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains

The June 2nd Festival at the Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains

Every year, on Republic Day, the Ecomuseum of the Pistoia Mountains hosts a day of special openings involving its various sites across the Apennines, within the territory of the Municipality of Sambuca Pistoiese and neighboring towns. It is an event designed for those who wish to discover trails, museums, and exhibitions at a leisurely pace, accompanied by Ecomuseum guides, while learning about the history of the woods, stone, ice, and traditional mountain work.

A dispersed museum in the Pistoia Apennines

The Ecomuseum is not a single building, but a network spread across the Pistoia mountain landscape, in the province of Pistoia and the heart of the Tuscan Apennines. It includes outdoor itineraries, museums, and educational centers dedicated to the centuries-old relationship between man and the mountain environment: stone carving, ice production, ironwork, sacred art, daily life, and the natural world. The Sambuca Pistoiese site, located at the Castello di Sambuca, is dedicated to the stone route and is linked to the ancient Via Francesca della Sambuca.

Sites open during the festival

• Chestnut and Charcoal Route in Orsigna, with a guided afternoon meeting point at the Ecomuseum info point;
• Museum of the People of the Pistoia Apennines in Rivoreta, dedicated to mountain traditions and daily life;
• Naturalistic and Archaeological Museum of the Pistoia Apennines in Gavinana;
• Madonnina Ice House in Le Piastre, a testament to ancient ice production;
• Palazzo Achilli in Gavinana, featuring the exhibition The Ingenuity of the Mountain.

An experience between nature and heritage

The day is an invitation to experience the Pistoia mountain landscape at a slow pace: chestnut woods, ancient crafts, stone architecture, and Apennine panoramas. Guides accompany visitors along the routes, sharing the history and identity of this often-overlooked corner of Tuscany, which is rich in traditions. For the Municipality of Sambuca Pistoiese and the entire Ecomuseum territory, the June 2nd Festival is one of the most beautiful opportunities to open the doors of their heritage to both residents and tourists.