Lajatico
Lajatico is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany. It is located about 50 km (roughly 31 miles) to the south west of Florence, and roughly 40 km (about 25 miles) to the south east of Pisa. Lajatico has a mainly hilly terrain with elevations between 100 and 650 meter above sea level and dominates both the end of the Valdera valley and the opening of the valley known as Val di Cecina.
The following villages are associated with Lajatico:
the small ancient medieval city of Orciatico, San Giovanni di Val d’Era, and La Sterza.
The village of La Sterza is a natural door way between these two geographical areas. The Sterza, Era, and the Ragone rivers form natural borders, placing Lajatico in a central position to reach Tuscan cities and seaside resorts.
Lajatico is a typical Tuscan hilltop village, with roughly 1300 inhabitants. It separates itself from other Tuscan villages as it is famous for being the hometown of the world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli. This beautiful village is charming with its incredibly pretty city center. When walking around the picturesque village you will be greeted by several pictures and posters of Andrea Bocelli. Lajatico does not only have a gentle devotion to the international tenor – they love him. The streets of the village meander along the beautiful palaces and buildings, leading up to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where you will find several shops and cafes in an enjoyable atmosphere. Torre Civica is not only the symbol for Lajatico, but also for the entire Valdera. The tall bell tower strikes silent notes with the same bell that was placed in the tower in 1279. The St. Leonard Church was built during the 13th century. It has been renovated numerous times as the parish grew, and has traces of many different styles. Guided tours may be arranged, and special events are arranged for the public.
Every year before Andrea Bocelli’s concert at Teatro del Silenzio, the whole village is decorated with distinctively inspired ideas and art work from different famous artists. They design the themes for the concerts held every year in July.
Teatro del Silenzio, which means the Theater of Silence, is an open-air amphitheater located in the city of Lajatico. In 2006, Bocelli convinced the municipality of Lajatico to build this outdoor venue, whose structure utilizes the natural formation of the hilly landscape of the village. Bocelli was heavily involved and contributed greatly in the construction of the theater.
Every year, at the end of July, Andrea Bocelli performs at the Teatro del Silenzio. The amphitheater can fit more than 10,000 guests and the tickets usually sell out rapidly every year. People travel from all over the world to see this evocative performance by the popular tenor in beautiful Tuscan nature. We have attended his concerts every year for several years now, and it truly is a fantastic and unique experience. Every year consists of exciting guest artists, and the program is kept secret every year. Art, music, theater, and the beautiful landscape combine to create magic this magical event.
Teatro del Silenzio is a place where art of various forms is presented to the audience that has found its way to the beautiful venue. The concerts are a memory for life, and for some it has become a tradition to attend year after year. People from all over the world travel here to attend the big event.
“This is my stage and the theater is a gift to my hometown. My voice breaks the silence, but this is a tribute to the land and its people, the music is absorbed by the landscape, and this is my message of love” (Andrea Bocelli)
The Bocelli Family owns a vineyard in Lajatico where they have produced wines for over 130 years. They also have their very own Bocelli prosecco which is very popular amongst both Italians and people from all over the world. Immersed in the hills of Val d’Era, just a few steps away from Lajatico, lies the Poggioncio Bocelli Farmhouse and Vineyards. The property has been in the Bocelli family for generations, and Andrea often spends time here enjoying time off with family and horseback riding.
The Bocelli family also runs several other businesses, amongst which is the humanitarian foundation Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF). The ABF headquarters are located in Lajatico.
Andrea Bocelli draws massive audience and has a loyal following. Many of his true fans wish to visit his hometown and the museum dedicated to him. Even after having travelled the world, Andrea continues to have a deep love for his roots and hometown. Because of this, it was decided that a multi-purpose facility and museum would be built, not only in his hometown, but also where the family has their farming equipment business. Andrea’s grandfather used to have a workshop on the property, which has now been transformed into a gourmet experience with a focus on typical local cuisine. Officine Bocelli lets its guests dive deep into an elegant, yet unpretentious room where every corner has a story to tell about the Tuscan landscape and the Bocelli family. From breakfast to past dinner, Officine Bocelli offers new dishes and combinations comprised of seasonal ingredients. Officine Bocelli is a haven of peace dedicated to everyone who needs a calm lunch break or a tasty snack made from local ingredients, either in the morning or in the afternoon. During the night, the restaurant is transformed into an atmospheric room for special events. These are complimented by the Bocelli Family owned excellent range of wines of the highest quality, combined with an ever-changing selection of dishes.
The second floor of the Officine Bocelli is a museum dedicated to Andrea Bocelli, his career, and his music.
Andrea Bocelli has his own beach club in Forte dei Marmi called Alpemare Beach Club, which is also worth a visit.
