Rivalto, situated 350 meters above the sea and without obstacles on the horizon, enjoys a dominant position on most of the Valdera and the neighboring valleys, by providing a 180 ° view that ranges along the semicircle ideally drawn between Pisa, San Miniato and Volterra: an enviable overview compared to the most sophisticated wide-angle opticals!
As a careful observer, Rivalto keeps watch unchallenged throughout the territory in front, from Pisa, in Lower Valdarno, where, on clear days, the white Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracles square) stands, protected from behind by the Monte Serra (900 meters above the sea level, it is home of one of the most important radio stations-transmissive of Italy) and, a little further north, by the proud peaks of the Apuan Alps and of the Abetone mountain, that look snow-capped during the coldest season.
At the Monte Serra's feet it extends the plain of Cascina, Pontedera and Ponsacco, an area mostly dedicated to the industry, with some Italian excellence, like the Piaggio in Pontedera, the Asso Werke in Fornacette and the furniture industry. By going further to the east with the look, you can see the hills of San Miniato and the neighboring villages of the Empolese and Valdelsa (the area of Certaldo, Montaione and San Gimignano).
Close to Rivalto, on the left, the village of Lari, characteristic for the ancient Castle and the stories of the witch Gostanza, the spa and wellbeing town of Casciana Terme -known for the therapeutic properties of Mathelda water, so named in honor of the Countess Matilde of Canossa- and, on the slopes of the hill of Rivalto, the ancient La Pieve of Rivalto, surrounded by olive trees and vineyards.
In the semi-circle behind La Pieve, along The Wine Route of the Pisan Hills, the villages of Valdera follow each other with Capannoli, Santo Pietro Belvedere, Morrona, Terricciola, characteristic for wine and for strawberries, and Peccioli, recognizable by its bell tower in Moorish style.
Towards south-west there is Lajatico, land of The Theatre of Silence by the famous opera singer Andrea Bocelli, an area almost extended towards the Val di Cecina, where the fair Volterra stands, perched on a cape of clay. Volterra has been an Etruscan and later Roman town that, nowadays, exhibits numerous ruins and evidences evoking the atmosphere of past times. The parish of Rivalto belongs to the Diocese of Volterra.
This large area of hills that is home to crops, bales of hay, pastures, rows of cypress trees, small churches and stone cottages, by alternating roads and paths almost painted in the ground, appears changeable with light and seasons in colors and shades: lush green in spring, yellow at the reaping time in summer, gray-brown of the earth clods freshly plowed, soft lights of the night, pure white of the winter snowfalls, misterious effect of the fog... rural reality that assumes amazing geometric shapes and inspires new emotions.