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Lucca in Tuscany Italy

This part of Tuscany is extremely partucular and much of its territory has a completely different appearance to the classic Tuscan landscape. In the Serchio valley and Garfagnana, rather than the gentle peaceul hills of Renaissance paintings, we find majestic mountains of marble and roch that loom over the valley bottom along the river Serchio where roads wind their way and unexpectedly open out into sunny areas with small ancient villages, settled on green hills, that reflect in lakes with magic images. The Apuan Alps are the main characteristic of the landscape even in the area of Garfagnana and Serhio valley.

Art and culture are of considerable importance in the territory near Lucca. The capital of the province is actualy a unique example that has perfectly preserved its city walls and it has maintained its characteristics since roman times up today. It would be an arduous task to list all the endless elements of the rich artistic heritage of Lucca in this brief description. It is interesting to remember the musical tradition of the city-the birth place of Boccherini Gemignani Catalani and Puccini- and the flourishing silk industry, which dates back to medieval times and that developed over the 17th century : most characteristic decorative motifs are repeated in the marble inlaying on the facades of the most famous churches. After leaving one of the city gates of Lucca, the visitor can choose from many interesting alternatives: you can visit the splendid villas, on the hills around Lucca, built from the 17th century to the 19th century; they are famous for their historical parks but even for the production of wine agricultural products. Going along the roman roads towards Pescia and Pistoia and crossing the Capannori plain, you can reach Altopascio, with its memories linked to the hospice of the "Order of the Knights of Tau", and Montecarlo with its 16th century fortress and tasty culinary specialities or wines. From Porta Santa Maria you may follow the Brennero road along the Serchio river and then reach Borgo a Mozzano with its hazardous "Ponte del Diavolo" (devil's bridge), which is thousands of years old. Further on, where the Serchio meets the Lima, you may make a detour or rise up to the thermal bath of Bagni di Lucca which were already known at the times of the Countes Matilde of Tuscany. If , instead, you prefer continuing along the Serchio you will find Gallicano on the left, from which Vergemoli and the phantasmagoric Grotta del Vento (wind cave) may be reached, while, on the right, going upstream, the valley is overlooked by the splendid Barga.

Finally you will find Castelnuovo where the Serchio and the Turrita meet near the "Fortress of Governor Ariosto" from this area you may follow various itineraries towards the high Garfagnana. The whole Garfagnana deserves to be discovered for its many distinguishing features ranging from the villages, often very old, to places of faith, from festivals or performances of "Maggio" (held in May), with the rich flourishing of mountain traditions, up to the discovering of natural and environmental heritage of the Apuan Park. You may enjoy the park reaching the Orecchiella Park, a State property, or going towars the "Alpe S.Pelegrino" with its hospice, now transformed into a museum, which was built on the "Via Francigena".

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