The 10 Best Things to Do in Province of Lucca, Italy

Bagno Maurizio is ready to give you a warm welcome. Situated on the charming Promenade of Viareggio, surrounded by excellent cafés, restaurants and shops, the establishment is just a few steps away from the beautiful pinewood of Viareggio and from the main square, Piazza Mazzini. Whether you are visiting the seaside resort of Viareggio for business or pleasure, the establishment provides a friendly and relaxing atmosphere at affordable rates. The private beach of Bagno Maurizio has a 30 meter beach frontage, offering a choice between 3 large tents of 7,5 square meters or classic beach umbrellas. One of the main characteristics of the beach is the amount of free space between umbrellas. Furthermore, the well-defined playground allows children to play in perfect safety.

It goes without saying that the word Verrucole, coming from the Italian verruca (wart), easily explains the choice of the rocky and unapproachable spot for the building of the fortification. A few ruins dating back to the Bronze Age and to a medieval hamlet have been found on the whinstone mountain where the fortress was raised. During the Middle Ages the territory of the “Curia delle Verrucole” was administered by the counts Gherardinghi, the local feudatory, then it was passed to the Republic of Lucca, the Malaspina family and since the sixteenth century to the Este family.The present features of the fortress probably go back to two periods governed by the Este dynasty, the age of Marquis Leonello (about 1450) and Alfonso II (about 1564). For more than four hundred years this fortress, which had a strategic location for the whole valley, was part of the duchy of Modena and the ancient province of Garfagnana. It is said that originally this complex had two towers, each one having its own castellan with guards protecting the two rocks, named the Round Rock and the Square Rock, placed at two opposite ends of the hill. The Round Rock with its still visible Ghibelline battlements, supports the present polygonal tower, which replaced a cylindrical tower, which is now visible after the recent excavations. The Square Rock is still evident in some traces in the vicinity of the north-eastern bulwark and it was defended by a semicircular tower and a north-oriented building. Coming from the old “Porta Piana”, which still retains its gatehouse and embrasure, it is now possible to visit the left battlement, the casemate and the bulwarks facing the majestic mountain “Pania di Corfino”. On the opposite side, next to the entrance of the casemate the scene continues with the ruins of the storehouse and the recently reconstructed quarters of the guard. Furthermore, rising on the hill of the Round Rock it is not possible to miss the old chapel and the partially restored tower. Any diligent observer will notice on the left hand side of the stone stairs the narrow “Porta del Soccorso”, a traditional emergency exit for the Castles. From the north gate it is possible to enter into the “Orto del comandante”, containing a few service buildings, a rainwater tank and the gunpowder tower, struck by a thunderbolt and exploded in 1683.

The only festival dedicated to Giacomo Puccini in his native city, Lucca. And the only PERMANENT FESTIVAL in the world, with Concerts and events every day of the year, at 19hrs.AND EVERY EVENING WITH VARIED PROFESSIONAL INTERPRETERS AND PROGRAMS For detailed information and programs, please visit our official website

We're the closest winery to the walls of Lucca (4.5KM) & are a small family run winery producing our own grapes for structured wines, as well as olive oil, which can be purchased in the Cantina or shipped internationally since 2005. We invite you to taste our wines which are paired with excellent food produced locally. We produce 2 white wines - Vermentino & a Vermentino with 5% semillon, a Rose' & 5 reds - (San Giovese, Merlot & Syrah - in purity), a blend of the 3 & a "Lucchese Chianti". Feel free to visit us & learn more about our fantastic wines & their production. Please call before so that we can ensure we are on site upon your arrival & we are open every day with the following exceptions or upon: Jan 1, 6, Easter Sunday & Easter Monday, Apr 25, May 1, Jun 2, Aug 15, Nov 1, Dec 8, 25 & 26. Contact for summer hours; November-March: 1130-1700 Monday thru Saturday, 1000-1230 Sunday to purchase our extraordinary wines or upon Reservations on Sundays. Contact for questions.

Constructed during the era of the Countess Matilde di Canossa (1046-1115,) this medieval bridge that spans the Serchio River is said to have been built with the aid of the devil himself.

The 17th century Villa Reale di Marlia lies in the heart of Tuscany, near Lucca, in an exceptional location at the foot of the Pizzorne hills. Home in the 19th century to Napoleon's sister and Duchess of Lucca Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, the Villa is encircled by high walls, seemingly protecting it from the passing of time. Villa Reale is considered to be one of the most important historical properties in Italy. The 16-hectare estate includes numerous refined Gardens and botanic rarities, as well as majestic buildings created over centuries. The Park features a splendid Water Theatre, the world famous Green Theatre (where the composer Paganini often performed for Elisa Baciocchi), pathways lined with Camellia flowers, and is enriched by a Lemon Garden with a group of marble statues depicting Leda and the Swan, and a Spanish Garden in Art Deco style. Several historic buildings add to the experience, including the 16th century Villa del Vescovo with its nymphaeum, named the Grotto of Pan, and the elegant 18th century Palazzina dell'Orologio with its panoramic loggia.