-- The Era Valley -- Calcinaia Casciana Terme Chianni Crespina Lajatico Lari Palaja Peccioli Terricciola

The Valdera is one of the lesser  known areas of Tuscany yet to be discovered by tourism.
Named after its river, the Era Valley spreads from the barren walled chasms of Volterra as far as Pontedera.

The inspiring, evocative landscape reveals a wealth of natural beauty, history, art and architecture. For here, the main trading route from Pisa to Volterra, forged by bloody conflicts, has traced its mark through the centuries. The hilltop towns of Peccioli and Palaia were once defensive strongholds. Capannoli was once majestically crowned by a fortress and in the neighbourhood of Lajatico looms the imposing silhouette of the ruins of the Rocca di Pietracassia.

The inspiring, evocative landscape reveals a wealth of natural beauty, history, art and architecture. For here, the main trading route from Pisa to Volterra, forged by bloody conflicts, has traced its mark through the centuries. The hilltop towns of Peccioli and Palaia were once defensive strongholds. Capannoli was once majestically crowned by a fortress and in the neighbourhood of Lajatico looms the imposing silhouette of the ruins of the Rocca di Pietracassia.

The remote hilltops are dotted with the grey and ochre stone farmhouses often towered by a campanile that stand guarding their clear running streams and brooks.
The warm, clear blue skies invite the traveller to explore the history and charm of a territory that nurtures a rich cultural, historical and agricultural heritage.