Garfagnana and Lucchese

<< Tuscany

Garfagnana is a historic region located in the mountains of the Province of Lucca. This area features some ancient towns with various historic attractions. The Lucchese is instead the low-lying area around Lucca.

Marlia

Marlia is a small town that forms part of the municipality of Capannori in the Province of Lucca, best known for its large historic villa.

Villa Reale di Marlia

Villa Reale di Marlia is a Renaissance villa originally erected in the 15th century, and later expanded various times. The complex was reworked in the early 19th century after it was purchased by Elisa Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. The villa was renovated with the addition of various Neoclassical elements and the garden was expanded and adorned with statues and other decorations. The palace now is used to host events, and the garden can be visited.

Barga

Barga is a town located among the hills north of Lucca. Due to its position near the valley formed by the Serchio river, it was a rich trade center in the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and to this day it features many historic attractions built around that time.

Duomo of Barga

Also known as: Collegiate Church of San Cristoforo (Collegiata di San Cristoforo)

The Duomo of Barga is a Romanesque church erected in Barga in the Late Middle Ages. The church features a simple structure with some medieval decorations, and it houses an elaborate pulpit.

Pascoli House Museum

The Pascoli House Museum (Casa Museo Pascoli) is a museum hosted in the former residence of writer Giovanni Pascoli in Castelvecchio Pascoli, a hamlet near Barga. The museum includes a huge collection of documents and memorabilia of the poet, and it features the original furniture of the house.

Careggine

Careggine is a tiny town located among the Apuan Alps in the Province of Lucca, best known for a nearby submerged village.

Fabbriche di Careggine

Fabbriche di Careggine is a ghost village submerged under Lago di Vagli, a lake near Careggine. The medieval village was submerged when the lake was formed after the construction of a dam in 1953. When the dam undergoes maintenance, the lake is drained and the village resurfaces. This has happened only four times: in 1958, 1974, 1983, and 1994.

San Romano in Garfagnana

San Romano in Garfagnana is a small town located among the hills of Garfagnana, in the Province of Lucca. It is known for the large fortress located nearby.

Verrucole Fortress

The Verrucole Fortress (Fortezza delle Verrucole) is a fortified complex located on a hill near San Romano in Garfagnana. Erected in the Late Middle Ages, it was expanded during the Renaissance. Now restored, it serves as a museum with exhibitions on local history. Thanks to its position, the fort also offers a great view on the surrounding mountains.