Discover Pontemazzori: Trails, Chapels and Culture

Pontemazzori combines a section of the Via Francigena with historic trails, religious buildings, as well as a palace, museums, beaches and mountains in the surrounding area.

Via Francigena and Historic Trails

The section of the Via Francigena through Pontemazzori runs along the valley floor of the Lucese River; its branches connect Montemagno with the Seimiglia. The official Via Francigena leads from Pontemazzori towards Montemagno via Via Vecchia and passes Villa Trenta, now Giannini. A second historic route starting from Pontemazzori follows via di Biseste, which was used as the main road to Lucca until the 1920s. When hiking locally, route planning includes the valley floor along the Lucese and the ascent to Montemagno Pass. Those orienting themselves on the local trails distinguish, for their own hiking plans, between Via Vecchia with Villa Trenta, now Giannini, and via di Biseste as the former main road to Lucca. For hiking plans, what matters is whether the focus is on the valley floor of the Lucese or the uphill route to Montemagno Pass.

Marginette, Crosses and Chiesetta

The section around Pontemazzori features Marginette (or Maestà), small votive structures that served both as places of worship and shelters for pilgrims. The section around Pontemazzori also features croci delle missioni, memorial crosses commemorating important religious events of the past. The Chiesetta del Volto Santo lies along the Via Francigena at the beginning of the ascent to Montemagno Pass. It displays a damaged painted image of the crucifix venerated in Lucca Cathedral. Marginette and Maestà are two names for the same small votive structures; the croci delle missioni, as memorial crosses, represent another form of religious remembrance.

Chiesa di Sant'Andrea and the Circular Trail

The Chiesa di Sant'Andrea was mentioned in 885 and completely rebuilt around the middle of the 19th century. The circular trail “Pontemazzori - Montemagno -Pontemazzori, Anello di Camaiore Antiqua” begins at the Chiesa di S. Andrea in Pontemazzori and leads uphill via the ancient via di S. Lorenzo.

Palace and Museums in the Surrounding Area

Villa Le Pianore is a palace in the surrounding area of Pontemazzori. The Museo del Carnevale di Viareggio, the Museo civici Villa Paolina Bonaparte and MuSA Museo Virtuale della Scultura e dell'Architettura are museums in the surrounding area of Pontemazzori. For those interested in culture, this means that, in addition to religious buildings, a palace and three museums are located around Pontemazzori.

Beaches and Mountains

Spiaggia Lido di Camaiore is a beach in the surrounding area of Pontemazzori, as is Spiaggia Marina di Pietrasanta. Monte Matanna is a mountain in the surrounding area of Pontemazzori, and monte Procinto is a mountain in the surrounding area of Pontemazzori. The beaches and mountains extend the landscape setting from the coast to the mountains.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

For further orientation, you can also explore Lido Di Camaiore, Torcigliano, Capezzano Pianore, Valpromaro Di Camaiore, Buchignano, Fibbialla, Gombitelli and Pedona as well.

To the overview of the higher-level destination: Camaiore.