ITINERARIES in TUSCANY: PISTOIA, LUCCA AND MASSA CARRARA

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SERRAVALLE PISTOIESE (Pistoia)

Serravalle Pistoiese is situated in the countryside of the Montalbano mountains. There are few references to the Roman and early Medieval times, but is sure that the via Cassia between Montecatini and Pistoia, crossing the mountain chain of Montalbano passing below Serravalle. The castle of Serravlle began to assume a strategic importance only after the mid XII century, when the neighbouring Comune of Pistoia, built fortification on the spot: a fortress with a tall tower on the highest point of the hill. Of this old fortress the solitary tall tower of Federico Barbarossa still remains today. In the period between the end of the 12th century and first half of the 13th, Serravalle knew its time of splendor, during this time were built its monumental buildings and Serravalle became one of the most interesting examples of Medieval fortified tuscan village. Lucca conquested the castle of Serravalle in 1302 and started to build the Rocca Nuova. In 1328, Florentines and Pistoians followed each other in gaining control of the pass, until Serravalle finally came under the rule of Florence.

Hotels in Serravalle area