There are many stunning fortress remains and walled towns of the Mediavalle area of Tuscany that are most certainly worth visiting on your next vacation to Lucca province. Stay in a peaceful villa in Lucca where you can relax and unwind after a few days of cultural enrichment.
The walls of Barga still have two of the original gates hanging within it that both open into Piazza del Fosso. A moat once surrounded the outer wall as an added defence and entry could only be gained via a drawbridge. Whilst you’re in the charming town of Barga, be sure to visit the stunning duomo of St. Christopher and Palazzo Pretorio.
The walls of Barga still have two of the original gates hanging within it that both open into Piazza del Fosso. A moat once surrounded the outer wall as an added defence and entry could only be gained via a drawbridge. Whilst you’re in the charming town of Barga, be sure to visit the stunning duomo of St. Christopher and Palazzo Pretorio.
The common practice of townsfolk building their houses using the outer wall as their back wall served as an architectural reinforcement and is quite an unusual sight to behold. There was once a castle here but few remains of it can be seen today.
The Rocca of Coreglia built over the little village of Coreglia Antelminelli was once a majestic fortress. Built high up in the Apennines, it once controlled a vast section of this valley. Light signals would have been sent between the Rocca of Coreglia, the castles of Montrone and Brancoli and onto Lucca town to warn of possible intruders and general movements in the Mediavalle area of the province.
It’s very well preserved and tourists can learn much more about this domineering presence over Coreglia Anteminelli by visiting this historic sight on their travels.
The Rocca of Coreglia built over the little village of Coreglia Antelminelli was once a majestic fortress. Built high up in the Apennines, it once controlled a vast section of this valley. Light signals would have been sent between the Rocca of Coreglia, the castles of Montrone and Brancoli and onto Lucca town to warn of possible intruders and general movements in the Mediavalle area of the province.
It’s very well preserved and tourists can learn much more about this domineering presence over Coreglia Anteminelli by visiting this historic sight on their travels.
The Rocca of Lucchio is now in ruins but what remains of it lies on a hill overlooking the Valley of the Lima. A village is located below it on an extremely steep slope. Tourists can admire some breath-taking views from up here and can see how perfect a strategic position this was to build a protective castle.
It eventually ended its role as a fortress and was sold to a local family who made it their residence. Over the years it fell into disrepair and now little of it remains.
The tower and castle of Ghivizzano was once a powerful castle in the middle of the Serchio valley.
See the bell tower beside the church of San Pietro and San Paolo. The village surrounding the castle is built in a pretty concentric pattern. The castle itself is in excellent condition and is open to the public to walk around.
It eventually ended its role as a fortress and was sold to a local family who made it their residence. Over the years it fell into disrepair and now little of it remains.
The tower and castle of Ghivizzano was once a powerful castle in the middle of the Serchio valley.
See the bell tower beside the church of San Pietro and San Paolo. The village surrounding the castle is built in a pretty concentric pattern. The castle itself is in excellent condition and is open to the public to walk around.
Photo credits
picture 1: Maksim / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Wokulski / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Hpschaefer / CC BY 3.0
picture 1: Maksim / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Wokulski / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Hpschaefer / CC BY 3.0
