Open Week – Uzzano and La Costa: History, Culture, and Flavors

Uzzano takes center stage in the Valdinievole Open Week

Every spring, the Valdinievole opens its doors to showcase its heritage during the Open Week, a widespread festival titled "From Leonardo to Pinocchio" involving fifteen municipalities in the province of Pistoia. Among them is Uzzano, a small hilltop town overlooking the Valdinievole plain, which offers a compact yet fascinating program dedicated to exploring its historic center and sacred sites. The event was created to promote a territory studied by Leonardo da Vinci and known as the birthplace of the world's most famous puppet, weaving together culture, history, nature, and local flavors into a single calendar of free events.

Guided tours in Uzzano Castello and La Costa

The heart of Uzzano's offering consists of free guided tours of the monuments in the medieval village of Uzzano Castello and the hamlet of La Costa. The itinerary leads visitors to discover the Church of Santi Jacopo e Martino, the castle's main place of worship, and the nearby Palazzo del Capitano, both overlooking Piazza Don Minzoni. On Sunday, the route moves to La Costa to visit the Church of Santi Bartolomeo e Silvestro, set in a landscape that commands a view over the valley.

• Church of Santi Jacopo e Martino — the parish church of Uzzano Castello, a witness to the village's long religious history.
• Palazzo del Capitano — an ancient civic building in the heart of the castle, symbolizing communal and podestà power.
• Church of Santi Bartolomeo e Silvestro — the place of worship in the hamlet of La Costa, nestled in the rolling hills.
• Insights into local history, culture, and traditions, with a special focus on regional flavors.

A medieval village between history and landscape

Uzzano Castello retains the layout of an ancient fortified village, with alleys, picturesque corners, and architecture that tell centuries of Valdinievole history. The guided tour is the ideal occasion to read the historical layering of the town, from its medieval origins to the events that linked the territory to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The connection to local flavors, highlighted in the event's title, completes the experience, reflecting the identity of a community that treats its heritage as a shared treasure.

A free event for everyone

With its entirely free and accessible nature, the Uzzano Open Week is aimed at families, history and art enthusiasts, and all visitors in search of an authentic Tuscany. The event is promoted by the Municipality of Uzzano, in the province of Pistoia, in collaboration with Valdinievole Turismo and other local municipalities, as part of a festival that promotes slow tourism and local culture in the Tuscany region every year.