DEEP IN THE GROUND: the copper mine of Montecatini and the Salt of Volterra

HISTORY & MINE 

Historical & mining sites in one only day tour! A special tour to discover hidden gems of the Terre di Pisa area!

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Montecatini Valdicecina and the mining museum
In the southern part of the Terre di Pisa is a valley called Val di Cecina, taking the name from the Cecina river that flows through it. We will bring you there to discover some hidden gems! The hills of this area have been widely known since the times of the Etruscans for the presence of precious mineral elements such as iron and copper. Already back in the 6th century BC, the Etruscans were mining the area to extract precious metals, and the medieval town of Montecatini Valdicecina became famous for a copper mine built nearby, active from 1827 to 1907. Today, a guided visit to museum of the mine is available: visitors can learn about the extraction system and the life of the miners of the area. People from all Europe used to come here to direct or take part to the extraction works in this extremely important production site.

We will start with a historical introduction to the complex, in order for you to learn about the extraction techniques and the machinery employed. We will then walk inside the mine, going down some passageways to reach an area called “The Belly of the Whale”, in the deep undergrounds. Here we will see the impressive beams used to sustain the underground tunnels and keep the ways out open. This fascinating visit continues to the top of the complex, where we can see the old wooden system used to drag the copper inside the mine to the surface.

Lunch at a typical restaurant in town
After the mine exploration, a well-deserved lunch at a traditional local restaurant offers the chance to savor the flavors of the region. Local wine is included.

The salt mines of Volterra
Not far from Volterra there’s a little village called Saline di Volterra, which actually means Salt mines of Volterra, where, since the Etruscan time, you can find deep in the ground huge deposits of salt, that is still worked today.
The salt produced in Volterra is the purest salt of Italy. Inside the salt factory we will see the majestic salt waterfall inside the premises, discovering the story of this precious material from the ancient times to nowadays, and it will be possible to buy this unique salt that comes from the depths of the earth.

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This is a list of specialties that you are likely to sample as part of the program of this tour. Please, note that the specialties of the tasting session and/or lunch may vary according to the season and the availability of the products in the day of the tour.

Focaccia

Focaccia

Focaccia is a typical flat bread which is like the base of a pizza with no topping. Usually it is added with olive oil and rosemary and it is served with cold meats and cheese.

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Tuscan salamis and prosciutto

Tuscan salamis and prosciutto

A plate of mixed Tuscan cold meats: rigatino (a kind of bacon), Tuscan salami (a regular salami with large fat bits), finocchiona (a salami with fennel seeds) and arista (a pork loin long baked and seasoned with rosemary and other herbs).

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Tuscan red wine

Tuscan red wine

The Tuscan soil provides a wide variety of red wines, from easy-to-drink young table wines to full-body and robust riservas. Tuscan red wines are often based on Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo or Colorino grapes and sometimes on international grapes like Merlot, Cabernet or Syrah.

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Tuscan white wine

Tuscan white wine

Tuscan white wines are often based on a typical grape called Vermentino, which provides strong minerality and freshness to the wines made with it. Other very common grapes for white wines in Tuscany are Trebbiano and Malvasia.

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In our tour we like showing you places off the beaten track and introducing you to Tuscan people with their personal stories, careers and characters. You will have one of our guides with your party during the whole tour. Please, see below all the guides who can be with you. During this experience you can also meet some of the Tuscan friends involved in the events. Please, see below which friends you are likely to encounter.

Moira

guide

Moira

Pisa city tour guide & and tour leader at Arianna & Friends'

Ciao a tutti! My name is Moira and I'm the "foreigner" here at Arianna & Friends! In fact I come from the north west of Italy, from the town of Turin, and I moved to Tuscany in 2012, falling immediately in love with the culture, the arts and foods and of course - my favourite! - wines of this beautiful region. I started working at Arianna & Friends' back in 2013 as an assistant at the Tourist Information Office of a small hilltop village, where our office was initially located; then I got my licence as tour guide and I am today the city tour guide in the team for the main towns of Pisa, Volterra, San Miniato, but also for all our less famous tiny villages, which hide lots of secrets and such a loooong history! Last year, together with my colleague Luca, we got a licence as official truffle hunters, but I'm still mainly a truffle eater! When I'm not walking around in our amazing places talking about arts, culture and history, or discovering together with our guests the local specialties, you find me in the office, taking care of bookings and reservations. I really hope to meet you soon to show you around our beautiful land, and as I come from another region, I can also reveal some of the secrets that Tuscan people will never confess!!

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