The “Bosco di Tanali” was the first protected natural area of local interest, it was created by the Toscana Regione.
All the zone was proposed as moist zone of international importance by Toscana Region by the initiative of MedWet.
The corporate body manager is the Community of Bientina, with the assistance of a Management Committee and an advisory committee.

Fauna

The protected area includes various moist habitats, they have seen a sensible increase thank to the environmental restoration activities: a wood igrofilo of notable naturalistic value, canals, flooded areas, damp lawns, rushes. In the area is present the specific flora of flooded ground.

For some species the “Bosco Tanali” constitute the unique station of lagoon of Bientina. The area of Bosco Tanali is representative of the majority of habitat and of the species of swamp areas of Tuscan fresh water. The entire lagoon of Bientina is a indicated area of the studies of “Società Botanica Italiana” as an area of botanic and vegetation interest.

HISTORY

The church of San Domenico was built in the first half of the XVII century starting from 1621 outside the medieval walls. Completely built in brickwork with a simple façade completed by triangular tympanum on a pre-existing chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Rosario. At the center of the gable, in white marble, the ancient coat of arms of the town of Bientina. Severely damaged by the bombardment of the bell tower during the last world conflict, it was reconstructed and restored in 1994. Inside, in a single classroom, there is a painting by the painter Aurelio Lomi of 1603, depicting the “Last Supper”. From the church of Santa Maria, a magnificent residence for the Sacred Sacrament of the eighteenth century, restored in 2016 and a marble monument dedicated to the fallen of the First World War of 1924. To the left of the building stands the high bell tower, Also called Tower of the Belvedere, rebuilt in 1978.

It is one of the Tuscan Churches where the Tridentine Mass is celebrated.

Museum della Pieve of Bientina was opened in 1993, includes a large quantity of holy vessels made of noble metal and dating back to the period between the 16th and the 19th century.

Candle holders

The Museum encloses works of art of great value that are part of the treasure of the church of S. Maria Assunta and of S. Valentine. Most of the treasure is composed of candle holders, goblets, incense burners, monstrances, reliquaries, trays and lamps produced by the most famous silversmiths of the Lucca, Pisa and Florentine schools of the 17th and 18th century.Most of these holy vessels were donated to the Church after the arrival in Bientina of S. Valentine’s reliquaries.

The museum offers a valuable display of vestments that can be dated back to the period between the end of the 16th and the end of the 18th century. Highly valuable and of fine workmanship, these vestments are of considerable artistic and historical interest.

Museum della Pieve
Adress: Borgo della Pieve, Bientina
Tel: 0587758445
Email: valderamusei@unione.valdera.pi.it

Opening Time: by reservation only

Free entrance

The Museum is located in the small church of Saint Jerome,it’s a deconsecrated church. It’s documented the ancient history of the territory of Bientina, It conserve and show the Etruscan evidence.

Etruscan evidence

The excavations and the recovery works have brought to light numerous findings of considerable historical interest, such as Etruscan amphoras, Bucchero ceramics and ceramics painted red, elements of necklaces and earrings. A part of these items were part of the funeral dowry of a grave found during the excavation work.

Inauguration 

The museum was opened in november 1999 and it was dedicated to Vittorio Bernardi , he were a promoter of the excavations of the Bientina marshs.

Entrance

Museum of the Ancient History of the Territory of Bientina
Address: Vicolo Masaccio, Bientina
Tel: +39 0587758445
Email: valderamusei@unione.valdera.pi.it
Opening Time: All sunday from 10.00 to 12.00
Closed all august

Free entrance

A museum that testifies Etruscan’s presence in the past

Museo degli Etruschi e della Storia Antica del Territorio di Bientina “V. Bernardi” has been inaugurated after important archaeological recoveries that testify the presence of Etruscan in the territory such as amphoras, ceramics, necklaces and  earrings.
Most of these elements belong to a grave discovered during some excavations near Bientina’s swamp.
The museum has been entitled to Vittorio Bernardi, an expert in archeology.