Montecarlo: Wine, History and Routes through the Borgo

Montecarlo combines its historic town walls and medieval streets with wine traditions, theatre and garden culture. This creates a destination for you to explore through history, local products and different types of excursions. When choosing your accommodation, you can focus on wine, culture or a route accordingly.

Wine as a Defining Feature of the Area

The Montecarlo DOC controlled designation of origin was officially recognised on 13 August 1969. The Montecarlo DOC Consortium has been active since 1970 and today protects around 200 hectares of vineyards. Origin, winemaking and tasting therefore form a close connection between the town and its characteristic product.

The Festa del Vino di Montecarlo is a traditional wine event that began in 1968 and highlights the connection between the town and its characteristic product. The Via Vinaria event was established in spring 2000 and invites visitors to discover Montecarlo’s medieval streets and wines through guided tastings with the winemakers. During Via Vinaria, free Wine Bus shuttles take visitors along the event route to the participating wineries; alternatively, the route can be travelled by car.

Town Walls, Church and Theatre

Along Montecarlo’s historic town walls, three of the fifteen original gates have been preserved: the Porta Fiorentina, the Porticciola and the Porta Nuova. Today’s Pieve di San Piero in Campo has remained almost unchanged since the 14th century; it has three naves and a single apse. The Teatro dei Rassicurati is one of the smallest theatres in Europe and has 22 boxes across two tiers, as well as around 200 seats.

The high walls of the Fortezza di Montecarlo protect an Italian garden with numerous orange and lemon trees, old roses and acanthus. In Montecarlo, defensive architecture and landscaped garden spaces thus stand side by side.

Walk, Wine Route and Cycle Path

The routes described offer different focuses for walking, wine and cycling. The Strada del Vino e dell’Olio di Lucca, Montecarlo e Versilia can be started in Borgo Montecarlo and includes a walk through the town centre as well as a tasting of a white Montecarlo DOC wine. The “Da Montecarlo a Lucca e ritorno” cycle route runs almost entirely on asphalt; the exception is 5.3 kilometres on the cycle path along the Serchio river embankment. The two options therefore differ in means of transport and road surface, allowing you to make a deliberate choice when planning your day.

Places in the Surrounding Area

Villa Torrigiani is located in the area around Montecarlo and is associated with the categories Museum and Palace. Villa Mansi is also located in the surrounding area and is associated with the category Palace. The historic site Ospedale San Jacopo di Altopascio is located nearby. The summit of Monte Crocefisso and the mountain Monte Serra are also located around Montecarlo. Further away in the wider region are the mountains Monte Cascetto and M. Moraglio. The distinction between the surrounding area, nearby area and wider regional area helps you consider cultural and landscape destinations separately when planning.

More Destinations for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also view Vagli Sotto, Piazza Al Serchio, Viareggio, Villa Basilica, Corsanico, Marlia, Gorfigliano and Barga.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lucca.