Arnaccio

Discovering Arnaccio: a modern isolated agricultural village

Are you in search of a peaceful and nature-immersed location? Arnaccio may be just the place for you! Located in the municipality of Cascina, in the province of Pisa, this hamlet is the most isolated inhabited center compared to the others in the surrounding area. Arnaccio stretches along the state road 67 bis Tosco Romagnola and the Arnaccio canal, which in the past served as a ditch to protect the plains of Pisa and Livorno. The locality is about 10 km away from the municipal capital and about 12 km from Pisa.

A history of reclamation and studies

The history of Arnaccio is linked to the land and its nature. In Roman times, the area was inhabited, but for many centuries, it remained depopulated due to the humid and almost swampy characteristics of the plain, which made the economy and agriculture difficult. However, the place was subject to numerous studies over the centuries, also by Leonardo da Vinci, who had drawn a map of it. It was only at the end of the eighteenth century that the first reclamation works were carried out, thanks to the construction of the hydroelectric power plant on the Arnaccio canal. Today, Arnaccio is a modern agricultural village that has developed along the canal, at the crossroads of two important state roads that connect it to Pisa, Livorno, Collesalvetti, and Cascina.

Arnaccio: The Isolated Agricultural Village between Pisa and Livorno.

Monuments and places of interest in Arnaccio

If you decide to visit Arnaccio, you cannot miss the Church of Arnaccio, a nineteenth-century place of worship characterized by a simple neoclassical facade surmounted by a pediment and a beautiful sail bell tower. But the real gem of the locality is the Arnaccio Hydroelectric Power Plant, an imposing late eighteenth-century structure located west of the center of Arnaccio, near the locality of Biscottino, almost bordering on the municipality of Collesalvetti. This hydroelectric power plant was fundamental for improving the water drainage situation in the area, thanks to channel systems that are still present today.

Ideas for spending your free time in Arnaccio

Arnaccio is an ideal place for those who love nature and tranquility. If you decide to spend some time here, you could take a walk along the Arnaccio canal or dedicate yourself to agriculture by visiting some nearby farms. If you are an art and history enthusiast, you could spend a day visiting the museums of Pisa, just 12 km away.

In summary, Arnaccio is a charming hamlet located in the municipality of Cascina, in the province of Pisa, in Tuscany. Its history is linked to the reclamation works carried out to improve the water drainage situation in the area. Today, it is a modern agricultural village that has developed along the Arnaccio canal and offers many opportunities to spend time outdoors. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Church of Arnaccio and especially the Arnaccio Hydroelectric Power Plant, a real architectural wonder that testifies to man's desire to dominate and improve the nature that surrounds him.

Francesco Serra
Updated Thursday, Jan 20, 2022