THE CASTLE OF ALTOPASCIO (Lucca)

Altopascio is situated about 15 km from Lucca, on the highway A11 Firenze-Mare direction Firenze.

Altopascio had great importance in the Middle Ages thanks to the Convent of San Jacopo, the so-called Spedale, whose structures today constitute its historical center. The hospital was founded on the Via Francigena from the Knights of Altopascio, it was known since X century, as centre of assistance for pilgrims travelling along the Via Francigena. Altopascio still preserves the rests of its ancient walls, the Romanesque Pieve of San Jacopo (XII sec.) and the Bell Tower (1280). Of the three gates that still remain (in origin it had four gates), the best preserved gate is the one called Porta dei Vettori or Porta Fiorentina, which is dominated by a monumental portal from the 16th century. The only towers left that protected the wall, are the east tower and the quadrangular brick tower called Volta.

Accomodation in Altopascio