Visit the Pinocchio Park, in Tuscany
“If you lie, your nose grows just like Pinocchio’s!” – who never heard that? Hahaha… Pinocchio is a character who was born in 1883 in the novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, written by Carlo Collodi. Famous throughout the world, he has undergone several adaptations and is one of the most interesting characters in children’s literature. In Tuscany, there is a whole park dedicated to him and his magical world. Today we will visit the Pinocchio Park, in Collodi, Tuscany. Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patriciayou make the trip of your dreams!!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”
Learn a little about the story of Pinocchio
Pinocchio, The Talking Cricket, Blue Fairy and all the characters from “The Adventures of Pinocchio” have enchanted many generations! Fruits of the (brilliant) imagination of the Florentine writer Carlo Lorenzini (also called Carlo Collodi, due to the name of his mother’s country of origin), the fable is famous all over the world and has undergone several adaptations. And it is in Collodi, a small town a few kilometers from Pistoia, that you can visit the Pinocchio Park (click here to find out more).
Get to know a little now about the Pinocchio Park
Totally outdoors, the park is delightful and easily pleases adults and children. Surrounded by well-kept vegetation, as we walk there we find the main characters of this fantastic story such as Pinocchio, the Fairy, the Cat, the Fox and many other characters. Shall we find out more?
The Pinocchio Park is an incredible place with a vintage atmosphere, all designed in nature. Do not expect to find attractions with state-of-the-art technology, modern and full of lights and sounds; this is not the focus of the attractions. Here you will find, among large bronze sculptures and various works by artists who have worked for the park since 1956, gardens, nature, fresh air and moments of peace and tranquility. Also read our Special Posts for traveling with children: Tourism in Italy with children; Traveling with children in Italy;Children’s Theme Parks: where to go with children? and Florence with children!
1) Visit the Pinocchio Park, in Tuscany: DISCOVER THE AREA OF THE GREAT SHARK AND THE IVY LABYRINTH
One of the corners that most draws our attention, undoubtedly is the area dedicated to the great shark – it is worth remembering that, during the various adaptations of Collodi’s book, the shark became a whale, which in history ends up swallowing Gepeto and then Pinocchio himself. With a beautiful view of the pool, the huge masonry sculpture spouts large jets of water at regular intervals.
The great thing about this sculpture is that you can enter it and quickly see yourself inside the belly of the big animal – climbing some very narrow stairs, you are ‘rewarded’ with the beautiful view of the entire garden in the park. Be sure to pass through the ivy labyrinth, where children and adults have fun and race against time to find out who finds the exit before! It’s pretty fun! In the park there are, of course, the classic horseback riding, workshops and a puppet show that, of course, tells the story of the most famous Italian children’s character in the world!
2) Visit the Pinocchio Park, in Tuscany: DISCOVER THE CABLE CAR AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS
The park also offers a cable car, a rope castle, a giant chessboard – which quickly becomes the passion of visitors – and other games scattered around the gardens.
3) Visit the Pinocchio Park, in Tuscany: DISCOVER THE GARZONI GARDEN AND THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE
Is there any time left? Take a walk to Garzoni Garden and the Butterfly House, which are just a few minutes’ walk from Pinocchio Park.
The Garzoni Garden
The Garzoni Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. With manicured paths, flower beds, fountains and other beautiful attractions. Villa Garzoni, with its famous garden, is an extraordinary example of Tuscan culture from the 18th century and is located on an old road, which in Roman times, was called Cassia or Clódia.
The Garzoni were from a powerful family from Pescia. In the 16th century, the Garzoni garden was just a small area adjacent to the Villa, spread over three levels of land. The garden itself was built in the 17th century, separate from the building, and the first document that allows us to know its layout is the poetic work of F. Sbarra “Le pompe di Collodi”, from 1552. It celebrates the grandeur of the garden and describes the labyrinth, the bridge, the terraces and the forest divided into parallel avenues, which are still there today.
The Butterfly House
The Butterfly House is a large greenhouse that houses over a thousand butterflies and a very exotic, beautiful garden! It opens from March to October. Here, the butterflies are in charge! That is indisputable! With their delicate flight, they feed, reproduce and enchant visitors. You can walk in this almost poetic world and you can also observe all stages of development of butterflies: from the egg to the butterfly. You will also find night butterflies (moths), understand how they live and be enchanted by shapes and colors.
Useful information
Tickets for adults, for the three locations, cost 25 euros and includes: entrance to the Pinocchio Park, Interactive Museum and all attractions + Garzoni Historic Garden + Butterfly House. The value for children between 5 and 14 years old is 22 euros; for children between 3 and 4 years old the ticket costs 20 euros and children up to 3 years old do not pay. To buy tickets, you can click here!
Opening hours:
- From November 1st, December 8th, December 25th and 26th, 2020 and January 1st to October 24th, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (last entry at 6:00 pm);
- From October 25th to November 1st, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (last entry at 5:00 pm).
- From November 1st to November 29th, it opens on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm).
- December: December 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th; 12/13; from December 19th to January 6th, every day including Christmas and January 1st, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4 pm).
ATTENTION:
- Schedules may change without previous notice! I suggest you check the hours on the website before purchasing tickets.
How to get to Pinocchio Park?
1) How to get to the Pinocchio Park? BY BUS
Use Autolinee Lazzi – BluBus from Florence to Montecatini Terme and Pescia, then use the urban circulars from Pescia to Collodi (www.blubus.it). Another option is to use the Autolinee Vai Bus from Pescia to Lucca Ponte: get off at the Ponte all’Abate stop (Km1 de Collodi) (www.vaibus.it); from Lucca to Pescia use the Autolinee Go Bus and get off at the Ponte all’Abate stop (Km 1 of Collodi) (www.vaibus.it)
2) How to get to the Pinocchio Park? BY TRAIN
From Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples take the train from Florence Prato Pistoia Montecatini Terme to Pescia; from Genoa Viareggio Livorno – take the Viareggio -> Lucca -> Pescia line (for more details and other routes, visit the official Trenitalia website: www.trenitalia.com).
Also find out “What is the difference between trains in Italy?”. Would you like to save? So buy your ticket online in advance and save a lot, read the Post “How to buy a train ticket in Italy?“.
3) How to get to Pinocchio Park? BY CAR
From the A1 (Milan-Bologna-Rome-Naples) Florence North highway, take the A11 highway towards Pisa Nord; then take the Chiesina Uzzanese exit, go to Pescia Km5 and go to Collodi km4. From the A12 highway (Genoa-Versilia-Livorno-Rosignano), go to Viareggio and use the Viareggio-Lucca connecting road; then take the A11 (Lucca-Florence) and take the Chiesina Uzzanesa exit towards Pescia; exit at km5 and head towards Collodi km4.
Traveling by car in Italy
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Conclusion
Discover the Pinocchio Park in Tuscany? Traveling with children is not as difficult as it seems! You just need to include attractions in your itinerary to entertain the little ones and make strategic stops, after all, they get tired and get bored faster than we adults! Organization, planning and patience are the keys to traveling with children in a peaceful and interesting way!
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