The incredible story of a wooden puppet called Pinocchio made millions of people go off on flights of fancy. Since more than a hundred years, his tales have passionated children and adults of all ages and they have been translated into more than 250 languages.
However, few people know that this famous story was born in Tuscany, in a tiny medieval center near Pistoia called Collodi. Yes, "Collodi" is also the surname of the book's author, Carlo! Actually, he chose this alias in honor of his mother and the place he spent all his childhood at.
This lovely center became a well-known tourist destination thanks to the wonderful Pinocchio Park, where visitors can dive into the magic of this timeless story next to its unforgettable characters! The little Fairy, the Cat and the Fox, Stromboli and Geppetto are waiting for you inside a colorful park, where you can re-live the most important episodes of their fable visiting its beautiful locations.
So, what are you waiting for? Follow our travel tips and start planning your visit!
No matter if you are a large family, a couple or a group of friends: if you'd like to spend a different afternoon feeling like a kid again, this place is certainly the perfect destination for you!
The Pinocchio Park is an open-air space that will stun you with its thriving nature, its bright colors, its stunning decorations and other surprises! Get inside the Puppets' Theater, the Fairy's House, the Pirates' Cave or the mythical Dogfish's Mouth! During your tour, you will also meet many bronze statues, some wonderful pieces of art and various ancient carrousels which will embellish a precious atmosphere. Enter the ivy maze and find the exit with your beloved ones, enjoy a snack in a café or pic-nic area, or rather let your children have fun with the games, laboratories and activities offered by the staff. This will certainly make your day memorable!
The "older" visitors will be able to spend their time visiting the interesting "Pinocchio Museum" or tasting some delicious local dishes at “Osteria del Gambero Rosso”!
And there is more: next to the Park, there are two spectacular places you must visit! The historical Garden of Villa Garzoni was defined as one of Italy's most beautiful parks and it presents many fountains, water games, colorful flower beds and splendid ancient statues. Near this Villa, you will find the charming Butterfly House, an enormous greenhouse inhabited by more than a thousand butterflies!
The cumulative entrance ticket allows to visit the Park, the Garden and the Butterfly House and it costs €22/ €18. A single ticket for the Park costs €13.
Enjoy a wonderful sunny day in this magical place and feel like a dreamy little child again! Fun is guaranteed and the spectacular location will surely leave you breathless.
If you are looking for a property to rent for your stay near Collodi, we suggest booking our Villa Melograni in Montecarlo, Villa Celeste or Villa Fiamma in Segromigno in Monte, which are located just a few kilometers away.
© Alice Pilastri
