Come to the Versilia coast where you can find some fascinating old castle ruins and ancient walled towns to walk around and learn about. Stay in a fabulous villa with a swimming pool in the Versilia area of Tuscany for a few days to soak up some sunshine and culture!
Close to the fortressed town of Camaiore in the Versilia area of Tuscany is the partially restored castle of Montemagno.
It was built in the middle ages beside a village of the same name. It overlooked a section of the pilgrim road to Rome, the Via Francigena, running through Lucca into the Versilia plains.
Estimations have the castle dating as far back as 1099 and the private owner of the castle today had it wonderfully restored to include the original walls and the façade of the adjacent San Bartolomeo church.
Close to the fortressed town of Camaiore in the Versilia area of Tuscany is the partially restored castle of Montemagno.
It was built in the middle ages beside a village of the same name. It overlooked a section of the pilgrim road to Rome, the Via Francigena, running through Lucca into the Versilia plains.
Estimations have the castle dating as far back as 1099 and the private owner of the castle today had it wonderfully restored to include the original walls and the façade of the adjacent San Bartolomeo church.
Forte dei Marmi, as the name suggests, was a defensive purpose customs town on the Versilia coast. It acted as a huge store warehouse for the many tonnes of marble excavated from the Seravezza quarries, awaiting transportation via ships to other parts of Italy and Europe.
This busy town was largely under the rule of the powerful bankers, the Medici family of Florence who saw the profitable potential of this coastal area of Tuscany.
As tourists can see today, Forte dei Marmi was designed to defend against criminal attempts to steal the precious marble and other goods that came in and out of this busy port town.
This busy town was largely under the rule of the powerful bankers, the Medici family of Florence who saw the profitable potential of this coastal area of Tuscany.
As tourists can see today, Forte dei Marmi was designed to defend against criminal attempts to steal the precious marble and other goods that came in and out of this busy port town.
The striking view of Monteriggioni fortress in the Versilia area overlooks the pretty village of the same name. The medieval fortified character of this ancient hamlet has remained mostly intact with its winding paths all leading up towards what was once a powerful guarding force.
The tower of Matilde in Viareggio was a strong 16th century military lookout with three storeys for guards to stand watch from. Between the 19th century and the end of World War II it served as a prison and today it’s used to host art exhibitions and local cultural events. Come and see some of these intriguing sites for yourself on your next exciting holiday to Tuscany!
The tower of Matilde in Viareggio was a strong 16th century military lookout with three storeys for guards to stand watch from. Between the 19th century and the end of World War II it served as a prison and today it’s used to host art exhibitions and local cultural events. Come and see some of these intriguing sites for yourself on your next exciting holiday to Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: luccaterre;
picture 2: Vignaccia76 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY 2.5
picture 1: luccaterre;
picture 2: Vignaccia76 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY 2.5
