Trekking Tour Around Massarosa

At Massaciuccoli, a charming village on a lake of the same name, set among green hills covered with olive groves, an interesting tour begins, where luxuriant vegetation, ancient culture and breathtaking views merge together.

The excursion starts from the small harbour near the LIPU office with a Visitor`s Centre service and guest quarters; don`t miss a brief visit to the observation huts along the wooden walkway that follows the reed thicket adjacent to the farmhouse. Admire from here the rich avian fauna of the lake. It is said that a "pagus" (little village) with a thriving commercial port was located in this area during the Roman epoch.

Take "Via Pietra a Padule" uphill. On the right are the ruins of a Roman Villa, part of a small settlement with thermal baths. A visit to the civic Antiquarium is highly recommended, situated a little further on, on the left where a splendid mosaic plaque (370x434 cm) is exhibited. After passing the Antiquarium, take the pathway on the left uphill, that winds its way up through an olive grove leading to the thermal baths: on a terrace on the furthermost slopes of the hill under Monte Aquilata there are the remains of a typical "Villa d`Otium" (holiday villa) dating back to Traiano`s epoch (1st-2nd cent. A.D.) and owned by the prominent Venulei family; proprietors of land and ceramic factories in the territory around Pisa. Continue along and observe the coral hues of one of the most striking period villas of Massarosa: the Villa Minutoli Tergimi, built on an old watch-tower.

Further on and still following the itinerary there is a section of the route believed to be part of the "Via Francigena". Here the landscape suddenly transforms into typical thick Mediterranean scrub dominated by high hills.

Still visible in the Monte Aquilata district, are the remains of a castle built on the ruins of a former Roman watch-tower, probably a lighthouse, to defend the important strategic lakeside area of Massaciuccoli.


Boat Tour to LIPU Reserve

The boat tour includes a round trip of the lake visiting the northern swamps and passing in front of Torre del Lago (departures and arrivials at the small harbour of Massaciuccoli).

The first part of the trip offers a wider view of the land surrounding the lake, Monti D`Oltre Serchio and Alpi Apuane and before arriving at the entrance of the Malfante canal, on the right hand side, observe the fascinating Villa Ginori hidden in the exotic vegetation of palm and cedar trees. From the boat, the extension of the swamp, which is the ideal natural habitat for the reproduction of numerous species of water birds, is even more apparent.

Along the banks of the Malfante canal observe the typical arboreal vegetation, including ash-trees, alder trees, tamarisks and white poplars. Also widespread are eucalyptus trees, introduced in the area as they were once mistakenly thought to be effective against malaria.

Fishing nets, many of which are now abandoned, are a common sight too, evidence of a once thriving fishing industry arising from the lake`s rich variety of fish.

Leaving the Malfante canal, another one approaches called "Le Venti" that together with many others contributes to forming a rich network of waterways. Along the banks observe, between the canals, the open ponds that are stopover points and feeding grounds for wading birds, ducks and herons. This is especially so in Spring, many different bird species migrate following the Tyrrhenian route and their transit includes resting here before resuming their journey towards the Alps and north and central Europe.

Once the boat leaves the swamp, it passes in front of Torre del Lago Puccini then crosses the lake to return to Massaciuccoli.


Tour Around Massarosa Along the Track of the Pieve

The road from Massarosa to Pieve a Elici winds its way uphill through very old olive groves. Unexpectedly the parish church of Pieve a Elici appears on the top of a leveled out spur overlooking the sea, in a wide green meadow. The excursion starts from this enchanting place passing through the villages of Luciano, Spezi and Coli, to Piano del Quercione.

According to the most recent documents, the parish church of Pieve a Elici probably takes its name from the surrounding holm (ilex)-oak forest, or possibly from the noun "illice", derived from the romance languages. The first document mentioning the pre-Romanesque church dates back to 862. Originally dedicated to Sant`Ambrogio, the bishop of Milan, it was later enlarged and incorporated in a 11th century Romanesque church with a nave and two side aisles and named after San Pantaleone. Over the centuries, the church was subjected to various interventions that altered its original structure, it was the restoration works that terminated in 1962 that brought it back to the original Romanesque style. The interior contains, among other valuable frescoes from the 11th and 12th centuries, a splendid Crucifixion attributed to Guido Reni, an imposing marble polyptych dating from 1470, probably by the Riccomanni family, as well as a font by the Civitali school.

Leaving the church follow the Via di Spezi, a small narrow street that goes uphill through the holm oak trees, very old olive groves and vineyards. Shortly afterwards, turn right to reach Luciano, a small hamlet where time seems to have stopped. The many luxurious villas of simple houses are immersed in countryside abundant with colourful flowers. Go back to and continue along the road, observe the old oil presses, the numerous small chapels (marginette), and the old holiday house refurbished in 1700s style, reaching first Spezi and then Coli, characteristic localities that convey how life used to be long ago. After Coli, follow the steer descent, pass a fountain to freshen up, to proceed to Piano del Quercione. ... from “Touring Around Versilia” (Versilia, Toscana, Italia)