The name is Longobard in origin and comes from Massagrausi (the farm of Grauso), a wealthy man who owned most of the land in the area. In 932, king Hugo of Provence donated Massagrausi to the priests of the cathedral of Lucca. Thanks to this, Massarosa was saved from expansionist Read more…
When you leave the walls of Lucca heading northwest on the SS 12 road (the Brennero) towards Abetone, you will immediatly begin to notice the mountains surrounding the plain of Lucca. Our trip is taking us to Brancoli. Or rather to the villeges of the Brancoleria. On entering the tiny Read more…
Itineraries Italy: Villa Cenami at Saltocchio – Lucca Built during the second half of the 16th century, the villa is situated at the end of a long avenue which was once lined with poplars. The villa and its gate provide the scenic back drop to the road tht leads up Read more…
National Museum of Bargello The National Museum has its setting in one of the oldest buildings in Florence that dates back to 1255. Initially the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo (Captain of the People) and later of the Podestà , the palace became, in the sixteenth century, the residence of Read more…
San Martino in Colle Tradition has it that this high hill which looks out over the district of pescia and part of the plain of Lucca, was the site of a fortress built by Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli, Lord of Lucca, to keep a lookout for threats from the Guelphs Read more…