Two other small country villages: Bottegaccia and Piuvica and the surroundings

Good evening, blog friends—how are you? Today, I’m taking you back to some countryside hamlets I visited a while ago. These are small localities near Bottegone; Piuvica and Bottegaccia are well-known and appreciated spots situated between Bottegone and Masiani, close to Pistoia. Like other areas I’ve told you about, these were once predominantly rural. In fact, Piuvica remains so today, consisting of little more than fields, a few houses, farming communities, and virtually no notable businesses—save for a home-style pizzeria lost in the middle of nowhere among the fields. I visited it once about fifteen years ago and can confirm it was truly in the middle of nowhere. However, we first visited Bottegaccia, a smaller hamlet also set in the countryside. Historically, it was nothing but fields as far as the eye could see, but because it is close to the city yet offers all the peace and beauty of the countryside, it has become a residential area highly prized for its privacy and quiet. There are many homes here now—some truly delightful, well-decorated, and painted in elegant yet simple styles, avoiding the pretentiousness of grand estates. There is also a small, simple oratory and various modern buildings. It is by no means a deserted place; there are amenities like a small pharmacy, a bar, a newsstand, and other conveniences that make it an attractive place to live—close to the city, yet in a quiet setting with all the essentials.