Piteglio
Piteglio is situated between the valleys of the Torbecchia and Liesina rivers and overlooks the Val di Lima where the important old trans-Apennine route linked Pistoia and Gaiiagnana. In the 71 "'-7 2"' centuries Piteglio was a fortified castle under Pistoiese rule and its architectural history can be read in the old houses on the narrow alleyways leading up to the centre of the village. Here stands the church of Santa Maria Assunta with its square bell tower which also functioned as a watch tower. There are two churches in the little village: the Santissima Annunziata, which according to local tradition was built by Matilde di Canossa and dates back to 1040, and Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 7 2th century and renovated in later centuries. Here an ancient form of worship was practised, linked to the holy milk of the Madonna which according to popular tradition was brought back from the Holy Land by a crusader; the precious liquid is still kept in the chapel of the Madonna del Latte inside a large 7 7th century altar.