Marliana

In the Middle Ages, Marliana, Montagnana, Momigno, Casore del Monte and Serra constituted a group of fortified castles that arose in a territory that extended between the plain and the Apennine mountains. Marliana dominates the hill between the valleys of the Vincio and Nievole rivers, and is surrounded by thick chestnut groves. The ancient castle, already documented in the 12th century, was destroyed in 1177 during the war with Montecatini and was rebuilt in a few years. The village played a leading role in the battles between Lucca and Pistoia and then experienced a long period of peace under Florentine rule. The town retains its evocative urban layout, perched around the church of San Niccolò, documented since 1373 and transformed in the 17th century and then in the 19th century. Opposite it stands the 17th century oratory of the Compagnia di Sant'Antonio Abate, a space today dedicated to cultural events. [texts from the Tourism Service of the province of Pistoia]