Things to See in the Province of Lucca
Spending some days in Lucca is the occasion for visiting the towns in the Plain of Lucca where several interesting Medieval castles - the castle of Nozzano, the fortress of Montecarlo, the castle of Altopascio and the stronghold of Villa Basilica - are to be found, as well as churches - the church of San Cristoforo in Lammari, the "pieve" (parish church) of San Gennaro and the church of San Leonardo in Treponzio in Capannori, the "pieve" of San Giovanni Battista in Pescaglia and the church of Sant`Iacopo in Altopascio - and the wonderful villas with their gorgeous parks, once the residences of the most important families of the region.
To those whose like history and archaeology the province of Lucca offers different typologies of archaeological sites: from the Fossa Nera area in Porcari, dating back to the Bronze Age, to the Etruscan settlements in Chiarone and Tempagnano; from the Ligurian necropolis in Marlia-Ponticello to the Etruscan ones in San Concordio and Ponte a Moriano.
Nature lovers can instead visit the Serchio River Park, whereas opera lovers can follow Giacomo Puccini`s traces and visit the places where he lived.
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| Serchio River Park - The park was built for assisting in the recovery and development of the river as an essential element of the landscape, a discreet testimony of the passage of time. Here you will find an environment characterized by a balance between green areas and developed spaces, between dry riverbeds and urban areas, important ecological niches and farmland. The area does not lack in recreational activities, including soccer fields and a bocce area ... Serchio River Park |
| | 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 ... Castle of Nozzano |
| | Celle dei Puccini - In Celle was born Giacomo Puccini`s homonymous great-great-grandfather. Fatherless, in 1719 the first Giacomo moved to Lucca with his mother and brother. Here began the glorious dynasty. In Celle remained the properties and family things, which were never forgotten and were, on the contrary, strengthened during the holidays and in particular in autumn, after the celebration of the Holy Cross in Lucca The composer loved to ... Celle dei Puccini |
| | Villa Puccini - The villa in Chiatri was the first residence the composer owned personally, excluding the house where he was born in Lucca After the great success of "Manon Lescaut" and "La Bohème", in December 1898, Puccini bought the old villa of the Samminiati family aiming at completely renovating it. The villa stood in a wonderful place, commanding the coast from Livorno to La Spezia, the Arno and the Serchio rivers, Corsica and, in the most limpid days, the islands Gorgona and Capraia and the area of ... Villa Puccini |
| | Monastero della Visitazione - Giacomo Puccini used the monastero della Visitazione, where Iginia Puccini served as an Austin nun, to recreate the monastic atmosphere in "Suor Angelica" (Sister Angelica). It seems that Puccini let Iginia and her sisters preview the opera, but this is only a rumour. It is certain, instead, that Giacomo was profoundly bond to his sister, to whom he gave many scores of organ compositions. The nunnery houses a harmonium that Giacomo gave to Iginia in 1921, the hand-written score of "La Fanciulla del West" (The Girl of the Golden West) with a dedication of the composer to his sister, scores of composition for female voices and ... Monastero della Visitazione |
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