Castle of Nozzano - Almost opposite the castle of Ripafratta on Pisan soil, the castle of Nozzano in the south-west rises in defence of that of Lucca; "Nautianus Fundus", a fortress dating from the 13th century, perhaps built by the Countess Matilde di Canossa, which offered hospitality to the Guelfs expelled from the Tuscan cities after the battle of Montaperti.

Torn down many times by the Pisans and just as many times rebuilt, it appears today still well-preserved after nearly eight centuries of troubled vicissitudes which have seen it, during the period of the Republic of Lucca, one of the precious look-out posts which headed the network of communications linked to the Tower of Palazzo, the "Occhio di Lucca" and at its decline in around the 15th century, the home of one of the first printing presses in Italy.

It consists of a castle dominated by a hexagonal tower around which the village sprung towards the end of the 14th century, it too soon afterwards defended by city walls. Quaint is the pattern the planning of the town has followed assuming that of a spiral-shape similar to the lay of the land on which it finds itself.

Every year, in September, the castle relives its past medieval splendour with festivities and processions in fancy-dress, games in the main square and historical pageants, recreating an atmosphere which is still alive today between the walls of this village clinging to the hillside. ... from "Lucca" (Apt Lucca)