Crasciana: Churches, Festivals and Apennine Panorama

Crasciana Between Churches and the Apennines

Crasciana displays its character in a fan-shaped urban structure. The panorama is framed by the Apennine range. In the highest part of the village stands the parish church of S. Iacopo e S. Frediano; at the highest point rises a 17th-century bell tower with Ghibelline merlons.

Churches and Architectural Forms

The present-day Oratorio di San Frediano al Santo alla Villa was the former parish church of Crasciana. It is documented as the village’s only place of worship for the year 1260. The church of Santo alla Villa lies 500 metres south of Crasciana in an isolated location. The two churches are therefore situated in different places: Santo alla Villa south of Crasciana in an isolated location, and the parish church of S. Frediano in the highest part of the village. The dates 1260 and 1387 refer to different churches in the village.

The church of Santo alla Villa has an unplastered gable façade made of exposed stone. Its portal is framed in stone, while the lunette consists of sandstone blocks. The longitudinal floor plan comprises three naves and a semicircular apse.

The parish church of S. Frediano is first documented for the year 1387. In 1748, it was extended by a third nave and an apse with a flat end. The 1748 extension therefore belongs to a later construction phase than the first record from 1387.

A gate from the former fortifications has been preserved beside the church; two loopholes are located on its right side. A castle was built in Crasciana around the 10th century to defend the village and its lands. In addition to the castle dating from around the 10th century, a gate with two loopholes from the former fortifications has been preserved.

Paths, Forest and Landscape

CAI trail no. 250 follows the road towards Casabasciana and Crasciana for a few hundred metres before ascending through a beech forest. The trail initially remains on the road, then leads through the beech forest and only begins to ascend in this section. The reference to a few hundred metres denotes the stretch of road before the ascent through the beech forest in the vicinity of Crasciana. For planning a hike, this results in a sequence of a road section followed by a later ascent. Along a network of paths, nature, history and local traditions come together in the surrounding area.

Festivals with Their Own Rhythm

Crasciana’s titular feast is celebrated every year on 25 July. A Luminara takes place on the evening before. 25 July is the annually recurring feast day, while the Madonna della Consolazione takes place only every three years.

The Festa della Madonna della Consolazione is a three-day celebration held every three years. It was celebrated on 22, 23 and 24 August.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Montefegatesi, Lugliano, Benabbio, Pieve Di Monti Di Villa, Scesta, Fornoli, Casabasciana and Lucchio.

For the overarching travel overview: Bagni Di Lucca.