In the locality of Lucca

VERSILIA is located in northern Tuscany between the Lake of Massaciuccoli and the Cinquale River; it is well known for its fine sandy beaches covering an area of 20 kilometres, offering visitors a wide variety of accommodation in around 600 hotels and 425 bathing establishments. The coastline is backed by the scenic Apuan Alps and includes the towns of Camaiore, Forte dei Marmi, Massarosa, Pietrasanta, Stazzema e Viareggio.

CAMAIORE - Historic town with important monuments such as he Collegiate Church of Maria Assunta (13th century) with the 14th century bel tower and the 7th century Abbazia Benedettina. Nearby is the hamlet of La Pieve with the ancient Romanesque Church founded in 816 A.D.. The resort of Lido di Camaiore is situated along the seaside in the greenery of parks and gardens with a characteristic terraced promenade.

Click here for the latest information about what's on where in all these towns in this region.

FORTE DEI MARMI - For many years this "posh" seaside resort has been appreciated by artists, writers and prominent people from the industrial and financial world for its luxurious secluded villas set amid delightful gardens and parks. A wide choice of high standard hotels and bathing establishments is available. Superb shopping in the exclusive designer boutiques and lovely walks on the promenade.

Please click here for the Lucca file which has taken over from these pages MASSAROSA - The origin of this town dates back to the third century. A few kilometres away is the hilly hamlet of Massaciucccoli where there are the ruins of Roman villas and thermal baths dating from the 2nd cent. From the hills breath-taking views of the coastline with its luxuriant pine woods. If you like thermal baths, here's a place to go next - you could have a week in each place!

PIETRASANTA - Historic town with notable monuments mainly contained in the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, it is also an important centre for the artistic working of marble. Marina di Pietrasanta is located on the sea-front and is a renowned seaside resort with elegant villas, hotels, and sporting facilities set amid the greenery. Famous night clubs and discotheque available. A renowned summer festival at the Versiliana open air theatre is held in the summer featuring a wide variety of entertainment. Nearby, in the village of Valdicastello it is possible to visit the native home of the poet Giosuč Carducci.

SERAVEZZA - Important marble centre situated 6 km away from the coast in a populated plain surrounded by an impressive range of mountains rich with marble, from which emerges Monte Altissimo. Statuary and other handcrafts are characteristic of the area. Worth visiting are the Palazzo Medici and the Chiesa Romanica di S.Martino (Pieve della Cappella), situated on a hill overlooking Seravezza, a few kilometres away from the village of Azzano.

STAZZEMA - This district contains the most beautiful peaks of the Alpi Apuane and it is an ideal base for a wide variety of excursions for mountaineers, rock climbers and speleologists; for mountain walkers a good numer of easy footpaths leading to huts are also avalable. To be visited in the town is the Parish church of Santa Maria Assunta (13th cent.), a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture, whereas an interesting Museum of the Resistance Movement is found in Sant'Anna.

VIAREGGIO - This renowned seaside bathing resort, is known as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea and stretches across a wide territory embracing two pine wood forests and the beautiful Massaciuccoli Lake. Among its most important events is the Carnival (January-Febrary), the Viareggio Literary Prize (July-August), and the Puccini OperaFestival (July and August) held in Torre del Lago where Giacomo Puccini lived and composed most of his works. From 20-26 September 1997 is the International Film Festival.