Pescia, Medieval commune in Tuscany, Italy
Pescia is a commune in the Province of Pistoia in Tuscany, spreading along a valley and surrounded by wooded hills. The historic core consists of lanes with stone houses, small squares with churches, and narrow bridges crossing the river that runs through the center.
The settlement grew into an important trade center between Florence and the coast during the Middle Ages and changed hands among different Tuscan powers. In the 12th and 13th centuries the first bridges and fortifications were built, forming the core of the present town.
The name comes from the Latin word for river and recalls the location by water that has shaped life here for centuries. On market days the squares fill with flowers and vegetables from the surrounding hills, while shops selling locally made baskets and paper products line the side streets.
The best time to visit is during the morning when shops are open and streets feel lively without being crowded. Most sights lie within walking distance in the compact center that sits on both sides of the river.
The area around the town produces millions of potted plants and cut flowers each year that are sold across Europe. Many of these operations can be seen from the road when driving through the valley, where greenhouses cover entire hillsides.
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