The Via Francigena was the most important road in medieval Italy, linking places of great Christian spirituality such as Canterbury, Compostela, Rome and Jerusalem. These cities soon became major pilgrimage destinations for people of all nationalities, languages and traditions be it for religious, social or commercial reasons. Moreover, this road was used for transporting all kinds of goods and for the displacement of armies. The stretch of route involving Versilia went from Pietrasanta to Camaiore. From here the pilgrims reached Lucca, the main stopping-off place south of the Apennines.

Along the way, in addition to the magnificent churches found in Pietrasanta and Camaiore, numerous traces of Christian art can be admired, such as the Parish Church of Santo Stefano at Vallecchia, the Parish Church of Santi Giovanni and Felicita at Valdicastello not far from Pietrasanta, as well as the Parish Church of San Pantaleone at Pieve a Elici (Massarosa). In the municipality of Seravezza is the 13th cent, Parish Church of San Martino, decorated with a fine rose window popularly attributed to Michelangelo, while at Stazzema you can visit the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the 18th cent. Sanctuary of the Madonna del Piastraio. ... from "Versilia" (Versilia Toscana Italia)