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Versilia

Versatile versilia covers an area of about 160 square km along the North western Tuscan coast.
Beaches, pine forests, plains, hills and mountains make up this diversified landscape with an enviable micro climate.
The colourful coastline boasts 20 km of sandy beaches from Torre del Lago Puccini to Forte dei Marmi and offers a wide range of facilities ranging from affordable public beaches to elite beach clubs for a more demanding client. All types of entertainment can be found from piano bars, night clubs, music halls, theatres and discos.

Versilia became popular in the 19th century as a healthy place for sea bathing and sunlight therapy. This helped to turn the area into a popular holiday destination. Most of the development of the bathing establishments restaurants and cafés began in 1902 so were built in the liberty style still seen today.

The coastal and inland habitat abounds in fauna. Many birds stop in swamp system of Massaciuccoli lake along their migratory route and a rich variety of mammals live in both the coastal waters and inland.
Sea lovers can dolphin and whale spot in the Cetacean Sanctuary, the water reserve located the Tuscan Archipelago and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Towns and villages:
Viareggio
The largest municipality in Versilia with a history dating back to the 12th century.
The name derives from the Via regia route which joined the coast to the hinterland in the Middle Ages.
Now a fashionable sea-side resort with its economy based mainly on tourism.
It also has an important shipbuilding reputation especially for turning out exquisite luxury yachts famous worldwide.
Also famous for the carnival which lasts for the whole month of February and tourists may wonder at the enormous politically satirical floats made from papier- maché . The municipality also comprises Torre Del Lago, famous for the Puccini heritage.
A great holiday town for families offering no end of activities to keep everyone amused and the area also offers superb shopping opportunities with the many markets and boutiques along the coast and in the hinterland.

Forte dei Marmi
The youngest Municipality but with a history as the ancient marble shipping port. There is still an impressive renaissance fortress in the center.
The pier stretches out to sea for about 100 meters and the exclusive shopping centre is the trendy place to be. From here you get a breathtaking view of the coast and the soaring marble mountains.
In the 1930's it became a popular location for rich Italians and many famous have residences in the leafy suburbs surrounded by luxuriant vegetation.
Along the sea front there are popular haunts for dining and entertainment.

Camaiore
This town in the hinterland is at the bottom of a valley Surrounded by hills and the Northern Apennines.
With Roman origins and still has the typical orthogonal layout and hosts some artistic treasures.
Many foreigners have been attracted to settling here in this untouched countryside.

Massarosa
Located at the foot of the hills and has been inhabited since pre-historic age.
It consists of Lake Massaciuccoli, much loved by famous composer Giacomo Puccini and the hilly area cultivated with vineyards and olive groves.

Pietrasanta
A town of considerable artistic importance situated at the foot of an ancient Lombardic fortress overlooking a magnificent piazza with marble workshops and art studios.
Artists of all nationalities work and meet in the town which creates an intense artistic scene with important exhibitions in the summer. It is also possible to participate in marble carving courses.
The museum of models full of sketches and models of famous Italian and foreign artists is not to be missed.

Seravezza
Situated at the foot of the Apuan Alps with medieval origins. A mountainous territory and homes many marble quarries. It was in fact here that Michelangelo came to choose the raw material for his masterpieces.

Stazzema
On the slopes of Monte Matanna and surrounded by the peaks of the Pania and Corchia. It is so a perfect starting point for excursions to the natural park of the Apuan Alps.
Nearby are the Antro di Corchia Karstic caves with many kilometers of underground caverns to explore.

Cuisine of Versilia
The flavours of Versilia are reflected in the variety of the territory. It ranges from seafood to game and other traditional mountain recipies.
Delicious peasant cooking who use a poor menu from fruits of the land featuring mushrooms, chestnuts, soups and wild boar all paired with excellent wines and olive oils.

Museums

• Museum of Giacomo Puccini

Torre del lago
Tel: 0584 341445
www.giacomopuccini.it

• Carnival Cittadella
• Museum of the carnival

Tel: 0584 53048
www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com

• Museum of sculptures and models

tel. 0584 795599
www.museodeibozzetti.it

• Museum of modern and contemporary art

Palazzo delle Muse
Viareggio
Tel. 0584 81118
www.gamc.it

• Roman villa

Lago di Massaciuccoli. Massarosa
Te. 0584 979282
www.massaciuccoliromana.it