La Pecora Nera Bed & Breakfast lies in Tuscany, in the small village of Mazzolla, 7 km from the city of Volterra, in the centre of an area of particular natural and historical interest. Pisa and Florence are about 80 minutes away by car, San Gimignano 30 minutes and Siena 50 minutes.
Volterra, Mazzolla and Val di Cecina
Tuscany lies all around and can be admired in all its splendour from the 350 metres height at which Mazzolla stands, starting from the surrounding hills, gullies, cliffs, countryside and woodland, looking out over the whole of Val di Cecina with its nature reserves, rivers and torrents, past the mines of Montecatini Val di Cecina, the soffioni (fumaroles) and geothermal trails of Larderello and Sasso Pisano and the beautiful mountainous countryside of Monteverdi Marittimo, down to the sea.
La Pecora Nera B&B is an integral part of the unspoilt Tuscan landscape, of which the land and nature are the stars, in perfect harmony with the archaeological and architectural heritage of the surrounding villages and cities. The most important of these is neighbouring Volterra, an Etruscan city, with a history that runs uninterruptedly for thousands of years from the Roman period to the Middle Ages, through the whole of the Renaissance down to today. Traces of Volterra’s past are to be seen everywhere when walking through the historic centre – Piazza dei Priori, the Cathedral, the Medicea Fortress and the Roman Theatre – and visiting the museums. But its history can also be relived during the various historic events and re-enactments that take place during the year, bringing to life every corner of the town. However, Volterra doesn’t just live in the past, because the city is also becoming an increasingly busy cultural centre, with shows, theatre performances and art events all year round.
From Mazzolla to Siena and San Gimignano
Two of Tuscany’s most famous tourist destinations can easily be reached in less than an hour from Mazzolla and La Pecora Nera and they are both World Heritage Sites: San Gimignano, with its unmistakeable skyline of 14 medieval towers, and Siena, where Italy’s most prestigious “Palio” takes place. Other examples of the wealth and beauty of this extraordinary medieval city’s monuments and works of art include Piazza Del Campo, the Cathedral, the Town Hall and the Mangia Tower.
Pisa and Valdera
The car journey from La Pecora Nera to Pisa, across the diverse terrain of Valdera, is certainly a good reason to organise a day trip, as well as a classical visit to Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Along the Volterra road, from Mazzolla to the city of Galileo Galilei, you will find Lajatico and the Teatro del Silenzio, where Andrea Bocelli holds his concert every year in July, the small medieval village of Peccioli and Forcoli which, along with San Miniato, is renowned for its truffles. You can also stop off in Pontedera, the city where the legendary Vespa was born, for a visit to the Piaggio Museum.
Florence and Classical Chianti.
The road that links Mazzolla to Florence is also an excellent way to discover a part of Tuscany’s hinterland which although perhaps slightly less well known, can still reveal small, interesting surprises. As you pass through Colle Val D’Elsa you can visit the crystal studios and workshops. In Poggibonsi you can relive the Middle Ages at the Archeodromo, an open-air museum with a full-scale reconstruction of the 9th century village centre, which was discovered not far away. Then you come to the famous Classical Chianti region (Tavarnelle and San Casciano Val di Pesa) skirting Impruneta, which is renowned for its terracotta, and finally Florence, the city which, with its buildings, churches and museums, is home to some of the world’s most important artistic treasures and locations.