Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina
An ancient Romanesque parish church with a rare cylindrical bell tower, steeped in centuries of history and architectural intrigue.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best for exterior viewing
Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina
Best Time
Best for exterior viewing
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An ancient Romanesque parish church with a rare cylindrical bell tower, steeped in centuries of history and architectural intrigue.
"A beautiful Romanesque parish church with a rare cylindrical bell tower. It's a shame it's always closed."
Check Opening Times
The church is often closed. Try to find out visiting hours beforehand to avoid disappointment. :clock10:
Enjoy the Exterior
Even when closed, the unique architecture and surrounding greenery are worth seeing. :evergreen_tree:
Quick Facts
Rating
4.1 · 9 reviews
Type
Church
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Cylindrical Bell Tower
Exterior
A rare and striking Romanesque bell tower, originally separate from the main building.
Unique Romanesque Architecture
Exterior
Admire the mixed materials, small arches, and the early Romanesque style of this ancient church.
Historical Significance
Surrounding Area
Site of ancient disputes and events, this church has a rich and storied past.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit
Appreciating the Architecture
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Check Opening Times
The church is often closed. Try to find out visiting hours beforehand to avoid disappointment. :clock10:
Enjoy the Exterior
Even when closed, the unique architecture and surrounding greenery are worth seeing. :evergreen_tree:
Appreciate the History
Learn about its ancient past, including historical disputes and events. 📜
Tips
from all over the internet
Check Opening Times
The church is often closed. Try to find out visiting hours beforehand to avoid disappointment. :clock10:
Enjoy the Exterior
Even when closed, the unique architecture and surrounding greenery are worth seeing. :evergreen_tree:
Appreciate the History
Learn about its ancient past, including historical disputes and events. 📜
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors often find Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina to be a historically significant and architecturally unique site, particularly noted for its rare cylindrical bell tower. However, a common point of disappointment is that the church is frequently closed, limiting access to its interior and often leaving visitors to admire only its exterior beauty.
"A very ancient parish church, unique in its architecture, and even the scene of an ancient crime.
It was noted in the Conventio of 650, which attempted to reconcile the Arezzo bishop Servando and the Sienese bishop Mauro in their dispute over control of several parish churches and religious buildings (and their revenues), including this parish church.
The agreement, however, did not go well: it was here that in 711 (according to the Arezzo bishop Gerardo in the 11th century) the men of the Arezzo bishop Luperziano killed the Sienese gastald Godiperto, sparking a Sienese uprising. This was followed, during the Lombard period, by various attempts to control various parish churches, including Pacina.
The parish church is therefore very old, much older than the Romanesque appearance we see today, which nevertheless harks back to the first phase of the Romanesque style: a unique circular bell tower originally separate from the building, a not overly elongated plan, apses composed of a variety of mixed materials, small arches in the exterior wall of the central nave, etc.
Today, only two of the three apses remain, and the plan is also different, elongated compared to the original, because the façade was moved toward the bell tower.
Furthermore, I would add that the recent plastering of the façade was perhaps a somewhat unfortunate choice...
Up until now, I've found it closed, but I'm not despairing."
elvira di blasi
"A beautiful Romanesque parish church with a rare cylindrical bell tower. It's a shame it's always closed."
Marco Figura
"Ancient parish church surrounded by greenery"
paola pollini
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Information on public transport or driving directions to Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina is limited. It's best to use a GPS or mapping service for the most accurate route. Consider it a destination for a scenic drive through the Tuscan countryside.
Public transport options to Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina are scarce. It is primarily accessible by car, offering a more flexible way to reach this secluded historical site.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina is frequently closed to visitors. It's advisable to check for any specific opening times or events, but be prepared to admire its exterior if it's inaccessible.
As the church is often closed, there are typically no tickets required for entry. However, if any special events are held, there might be admission fees.
Specific opening hours for Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina are not consistently published. Visitors often find it closed, so planning around potential viewing from the outside is recommended.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
The main attractions are the church's unique Romanesque architecture, including its rare cylindrical bell tower and the varied use of materials. The surrounding greenery also adds to the charm, even if the interior is not accessible.
Unfortunately, the interior of Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina is often closed to the public. Most visitors can only appreciate its historical architecture and exterior features.
Yes, the unique architecture, especially the cylindrical bell tower and the ancient stonework, makes Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina a picturesque spot for photography, particularly from the exterior.
🎫 📜 History & Significance
Pieve di Santa Maria a Pacina has a long history dating back to at least 650 AD. It was a site of disputes between bishops and even an ancient crime, making it a historically significant location in the region.
Its architecture is notable for its early Romanesque style, featuring a rare cylindrical bell tower, a unique plan, and the use of mixed materials. The original design has been altered over time, with only two of the three apses remaining.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit