The valley, which owes its name to the river Era that flows from the Volterra hills, passes through this valley and terminates at Pontedera. The area is characterised by a typically Tuscan landscape with alternating plains and centuries-old chestnut woods. Combined with this attractive landscape there are suggestive walled towns, fortresses, and castles with their glorious memories of bitter battles for the territory’s conquests. The superintendent of Archaeology in Tuscany and the University of Pisa have contributed to making numerous archaeological finds in this historically rich region. There are many local gastronomic festivals in the area, where it is possible to taste the delectable local cuisine. Among them, there is the festival of the wild boar, not to mention other interesting sites such as the park of the same name, the zoological museum and the museum of country life.