PROVINCIA DI LUCCA DELLA TOSCANA
Bagni di Lucca — has the Ponte alle Catene, an interesting suspension bridge hung on iron chains that was built in 1840.
This was one of the spa towns of the 1900's so there are some elegant buildings. The Casinò Municipale, built in 1840 has elegant style and reflects a time when this was an "in" place.
Barga — as a cathedral from the 13th century that looks like a medieval Palazzo del Popolo. The 13th century pulpit is noted in tour books as being of interest.
Borgo a Mozzano has the Devil's Bridge which crosses the river Serchio. Tke the SS12 dell'Abetone e del Brennero from Lucca. The Maddalena's bridge or Devil's Bridge (ponte del diavolo) connect the two banks of the river Serchio. Cconstruction dates to the era of Countess Matilde di Canossa (1046-1115) - a person of influence over this area of Tuscany. It was rebuilt about 14th century. This is a classic medieval bridge. The legend is that the master mason struck a deal with the Devil to complete the bridge in a night in exchange for the spirit of the first person that would cross it. The contractor remorsed the deal, in the end had a pig cross the bridge first, and the devil was defeated. We just don't have tales about the bridges we buid today. The Villa Guinigi is located a little way out of the town. Built in the XV century by Paolo Guinigi.
Camaiore a town that like many suffered attacks and being passed back and forth to the various ruling families. There are two churches of note. Collegiata is a Romanic church built in 1278 that is located in the centre of the town. La Badia, ancient church founded by the Benedettini back in in 760. In this church there are three naves which hold a huge marble Baroque altar.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana The Fortress, now thecity hall, was built in the XII century and remodelled several times. Il Duomo holds Robbiane terracotta and a 1400 wooden crucifix.
Fabbriche di Vallico is a small town that dates from medievel time, with about 600 people living there today.
Gallicano is on a hill, like most of the towns and has a rich history. In 1200 the castle came under Papal Sovereignty. Late the town was passed to Lucca and in 1347 became the capital of the regional Vicariate. There were rebellions and attemps of takeover, Pope Niccolò V stepped in and to be part of the republic of Lucca. Unfortunately this town was part of bitter fighting in the Second World War and there is still some debris of buildings destroyed and not rebuilt.
La Grotta Del Vento (Caves of the Wind) are located near the town centre. The caves are an underground complex which twists for 4170 metres. The name derives from the constant wind which is generated among the internal passageways. The Parish Church, originally built around 1000 has been updated many times and holds a Madonna col Bambino and Santi that dates from the 1300s.
Lucca — Once visited, Lucca remains high on the list of places to see in Italy. The town is protected by massively thick 16th-century walls, and inside is great medieval and Renaissance architecture. If you have a hotel reservation you can drive into the centre, drop off your bags and then park in one of the car lots outside the town walls. The police watch and will help you get outside the walls!
It was one of the capital cities of Tuscany. If making this a stop on the way to another location, most guide books say to give yourself at least 3-4 hours to see the central town.
Yes, you have to walk the walls. Work on the walls started in 1500 when the Wars of Italy were commencing. Next to the walls in Ferrara, they are the best preserved walls in Italy. The Puccini museum is always noted as interesting.
If seeing Lucca after being in Florence, you will find the slower pace most relaxing. It is like you can walk about and really enjoy what you are seeing.
Montecarlo and the hills of Lucca Montecarlo is a little-known medieval village off the tourist route where wine makers take a French approach to white wines. During the fourteenth century the fortress played a strategic role in the wars between Lucca, Pisa and Florence.
The main gate on this side can be reached only walking through a tight path. The fortress was renovated and enlarged by Carlo IV and afterwards by Cosimo I de' Medici in the sixteenth century. In 1775 fortress was dismantled and now it is a private property visible only from the outside.
The landscape is dotted with red stone noble buildings, the historic walls of Lucca, and hills adorned with olive groves. The walls date to 1333 where the town was founded. There are four main gates: Porta Fiorentina - As part of the walls this gare dates back to the XVI century. Porta Nuova - Its name is due to the fact that the gate was reopened and lifted in 1598. Porta a Lucca - It has smaller dimensions than the others and it was rebuilt and enlarged between 1570 and 1594. Porta a Pescia It was closed during the XVI century when the Medici began the construction of the fortress.
Pietrasanta is a photo stop, a small mediaeval town near Lucca. It is known for its sculpting schools as it is close to Carrara and its marble.
Artists studios are nicely mixed with shops. Lots of wooden shutters and ochre-toned buildings in a maze of alleyways - get that camera ready!.
From the top of the what is left of the Roman walls is a view of the sea.
The Piazza del Duomo holds classical concerts. The Duomo was built in the mid 1200s and updated and enlarged over the centuries. Outside it is covered with marble. Inside there are three naves with murals.
Pieve - has buildings from the XIIIth and XVIth centuries. Most are built of bricks as Pieve had been a major brick production centre since the Middle Ages.
The Madonna dei Lumi, church was built in 1600. The dome has frescos by Luigi Ademollo. The S . Stefano, collegiate was rebuilt in the 1800s and has a terracotta glass panel by Della Robbia that dates from 1514.
Viareggio - is a place that we have just driven through on other trips, seems like when you had a mindset to see Tuscany, it is the hill tops towns that get your attention.
This town has the feel of days gone by although today it has a major carnival that is held in February. The main sight is the Passaggiata a mare or Lungomare - the promenade along the sea front. This is the main street of the town.