Located on the North-Western border of Valdinievole, along the banks of the homonymous river, the city of Pescia was probably founded by the Lombards, as its own name seems to demonstrate (Pescia, I fact, probably derives from the Lombard word "pehhia", meaning "river").
During the Middle Age the city was quarreled by the powerful cities of Lucca and Florence for its strategic position. Then it was subdued by the Florentine domination and started a period of economic development: several buildings were built, the urban settlement was formed and both agricultural and trading activities were developed.
Among the most interesting monuments to see in Pescia we point out here the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta (Saint Mary of the Assumption Cathedral), the oratorio di Sant'Antonio Abate (Saint Anthony Abbot oratory), the Chiesa di San Francesco (Saint Francesco Church), the Chiesa dei Santi Stefano e Nicolao (Saint Stefano and Nicolao Church), the Palazzo del Podestà (Podestà's Palace), the Palazzo Galeotti (Galeotti Palace), the Palazzo Cardini (Cardini Palace), the Palazzo Cecchi (Cecchi Palace) and the Mercato dei Fiori (Market of Flowers).
Pinocchio Park, set in the hamlet of Collodi, where Lorenzini's mother was born and from which, subsequently, adopted the pseudonym, is interesting too.