Versilia

<< Tuscany

Versilia is a coastal area in the Province of Lucca, known for hosting popular seaside resorts such as Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi. This region also includes some historic towns located on the hills near the coast.

Viareggio

Viareggio is a seaside resort on the Tuscan coast, in the Province of Lucca. Inhabited since ancient times, it was a small town for centuries and it developed as an industrial center and a tourist destination during the 20th century. Now the city is one of the most popular summer destinations in the region, and it is famous for its carnival.

Citadel of the Carnival of Viareggio

The Citadel of the Carnival of Viareggio (Cittadella del Carnevale di Viareggio) is a cultural center dedicated to the famous Carnival of Viareggio. The complex houses the hangars where the floats are built, along with a museum on the history of the carnival.

Lorenzo Viani Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery

The Lorenzo Viani Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery (Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea Lorenzo Viani) is an art museum in Viareggio. Its collection includes various artworks by Italian and international artists from the 20th century, including pieces by De Chirico, Guttuso, and Lichtenstein.

Villa Puccini

Villa Puccini is the former residence of composer Giacomo Puccini, who lived here between 1900 and 1921. The villa is located on the shores of Lake Massaciuccoli south of Viareggio, and now serves as a museum on the life and work of Puccini. Next to the villa is a lakeside open-air theater.

Forte dei Marmi

Forte dei Marmi is a seaside resort located on the Tuscan coast, in the Province of Lucca. Inhabited since ancient times, the area developed as a tourist destination during the 20th century, and it is one among the most popular resorts in the region.

Beach of Forte dei Marmi

The seaside resort of Forte dei Marmi is known for its long beautiful beach, that make it one of the busiest and most popular summer destinations in Tuscany. The seafront near the beach hosts numerous bars, restaurants, and hotels.

Pietrasanta

Pietrasanta is a town located at the foot of the hills near the Tuscan coast, in the Province of Lucca. Founded in 1255, it was ruled by Lucca, Genoa, and then Florence, and it features various historic attractions from its golden age in the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Duomo of Pietrasanta

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

The Duomo of Pietrasanta is the main religious site in Pietrasanta, mostly erected between the 13th and 14th century. The church features a Romanesque structure with a decorated facade, and it hosts various artworks.

Stazzema

Stazzema is a municipality located among the hills of the Province of Lucca. The area was the site of the Sant’Anna di Stazzema massacre during World War II.

National Park of Peace

In 1944, during World War II, the tiny village of Sant’Anna di Stazzema was the site of a bloody massacre carried on by the Nazi German troops and an Italian Fascist brigade, who killed around 560 people, including more than 100 children. The National Park of Peace (Parco Nazionale della Pace) has been established here to commemorate this horrible war crime. The park features a large monument, the Sant’Anna di Stazzema Memorial (Sacrario di Sant’Anna di Stazzema), and a museum.