Vellano - ProlocoPescia

VELLANO It is the capital of the Pescia mountains, located 480 meters above sea level and is a predominantly summer tourist resort with excellent guesthouses and well-equipped holiday homes. The town was already known in the 10th century for its parish church and the nearby hamlet called "Obaca." In 1281, its fortress and walls were destroyed by the Guelphs of Lucca and Valdinievole. It was a fiefdom of the Garzoni family of Pescia and was part of the League of Castles of Valdinievole. In 1366, Coluccio Salutati, who was the town's notary, wrote the statute, which is still preserved in the Pescia Municipal Library.

How to see in Vellano: in the upper part of the town you can admire the remains of the pyramid-shaped fortress and the surrounding walls. In the lower part, however, you can admire the bell tower and the Pieve dei Santi Sisto e Martinobuilt outside the castle walls, along the mule track connecting to Calamari, called Via Grande or Via delle Fabbrichine (the women used it to go to work in the factory). The parish church, perhaps from the 10th century, was restored in 1774 with the reversal of the apse and the entrance portal. Of Roman origin, it has three naves. The crenellated bell tower was a watchtower. From the 18th-century loggia there is a wonderful view of the valley. Below the parish church is the crypt with the statues of Saints Peter and Paul and an ancient Benedictine cross carved in stone and now worn. The external lunette with Saints Sixtus and Martin dates back to 1654. Numerous works are preserved inside: the fresco Martyrdom of Pope Saint Sixtus, from the 15th century; a baptismal font in pietra serena, from the 15th century; two canvases by Father Alberico Carlini from Vellano, from 1700 (Madonna of Sorrows with Saints and Trinity with Saints); the canvas Supper at Emmaus, from 1600; the Crucifix panel by Rodomonte Pieri from Vellano, 17th century; two canvases by Alessandro Bardelli from Uzzano, 17th century (both Madonna with Child and Saints); the canvas Saint Francis receiving the Stigmata, 17th century; the canvas Saint Anthony of Padua in Adoration by Benedetto Orsi from Pescia, 17th century; the canvas Madonna of the Rosary and Saints by Spinamonte Vanni from Vellano, 17th century; five statues, three of which are wooden, from the 15th century, and two in enamelled terracotta, from the 16th century; the Tronci organ is from 1795 (cit. Alessandro Birindelli)