Peccioli: “Borgo dei Borghi 2024”

It is the Tuscan village of Peccioli (PI) that has won the title of Borgo dei Borghi 2024. This small town, nestled in the heart of Valdera, has triumphed in the annual competition which, thanks to the Rai3 show Il Kilimangiaro and under the pretext of a challenge, leads to the discovery of Italy's lesser-known gems.

The competition involves twenty small Italian towns that, over the course of a year, compete for visibility and tourism opportunities. Votes come from both viewers and citizens through the official website of the event, as well as from a panel of judges. For the 2024 edition, the jury was composed of Michelin-starred chef Isabella Potì, Olympic champion Manuela Di Centa, and mathematician and essayist Piergiorgio Odifreddi.

Peccioli is a village of medieval origin, built around a Lombard fortress on a hill in the heart of Valdera. With 4,800 inhabitants spread across seven hamlets, the historic center is home to just 739 residents. This town represents a perfect balance of culture, tradition, innovation, and sustainability. Thanks to a futuristic waste disposal and treatment plant, Peccioli has been able to produce clean energy, create wealth, and finance cultural projects, turning what might seem like an oxymoron into a success story.

It all began in 1997 when the then-mayor decided to host one of the largest landfills for non-recyclable waste management in Italy. The ambitious goal was to create a virtuous waste management system that would generate profits to reinvest in local projects, especially cultural ones. From this enlightened vision, Peccioli has become a cutting-edge village, with a rich cultural offering and modern services, financed through excellent waste management.

• The Landfill and the Giants of Peccioli: Who would ever think of finding works of art in a place like a landfill? The Giants of Peccioli will surprise you: these are four human sculptures, standing between 5 and 9 meters tall, made from recycled materials, representing the idea of rebirth from waste. Initially, all the sculptures were located within the Waste Disposal and Treatment Plant, but now two of them are placed at the entrance of Peccioli and in the Fonte Mazzola Amphitheater.

• MACCA – Open-Air Contemporary Art Museum: Inaugurated on March 25 2023, it houses over 70 works by world-renowned artists such as Daniel Buren, Patrick Tuttofuoco, David Tremlett, and Hidetoshi Nagasawa. The installations pervade every corner of the village, creating a unique harmony with the landscape and local architecture. The visit itinerary starts from the upper village of Peccioli and continues through the hamlets of Ghizzano and Legoli.

• The Walkway: This spectacular construction connects the parking lots to the town, standing 30 meters high and decorated with a sort of colorful ribbon. Created in 2020 by artist Patrick Tuttofuoco, it is 136 meters long and offers a breathtaking view, perfect for taking beautiful souvenir photos.

• The Eyes of the Inhabitants: On a large wall in Peccioli are hung many photos depicting the gazes of the inhabitants, highlighted in a suggestive way by artist Vittorio Corsini. The installation is located in Via Borgherucci and above the photos is written “La felicità è una via” (“Happiness is a path").

• The Suspended Terrace of the Palazzo Senza Tempo: One of Peccioli's main attractions, this terrace is part of the Palazzo Senza Tempo (Timeless Palace), a historic building renovated by the architect Mario Cucinella and inaugurated in 2021. The Palace hosts temporary and permanent exhibitions, but the highlight is the Suspended Terrace, offering a breathtaking view of the valley, making you feel like you're flying!

Peccioli's victory as Borgo dei Borghi 2024 was watched by over 1.4 million viewers, with a share of 8.3%. The photo of the village used on the municipality's social profiles was viewed by over 200,000 people in just a few hours. In the following days, Peccioli welcomed thousands of visitors from all over Italy and abroad.

Peccioli won't stop here, the administration announces. "Peccioli will continue the path already started with the first official contacts with the association I Borghi più belli d’Italia, to evaluate a possible entry into this prestigious club. Trying to add another flag of quality tourism and hospitality after those of the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club and, recently confirmed, the Lilac Flag. Not to mention that title, which filled an entire community with pride, of Borgo dei Borghi 2024."

If you haven't already done so, hurry to visit this unique village and book your stay in one of our holiday homes around Peccioli!

In partnership with Trading Estate Service Srl