Hidden places in Tuscany 3 - Lucca and Pisa

Hidden places in Tuscany 3 - Lucca and Pisa

If it is not the first time that you are visiting Tuscany on holiday and you have already seen our most famous places: the beautiful cities of art such as Florence, Lucca, Siena, Arezzo, and the wonderful countryside and its medieval villages perched on the hills, you have still a lot to discover.

Below is a list of unknown and particular places to experience and things to do near Lucca and Pisa on your Tuscany holiday.

In the province of Lucca


-The Devil's Bridge
We have already talked about the Devil's Bridge near Borgo a Mozzano. It is a medieval engineering masterpiece which, thanks to its singular profile, with the large arch and the whole arch flanked by the other three minor arches, has inspired many artists and made legends about its construction flourish.

-il Ponte sospeso delle Ferriere

The Suspension Bridge was built in 1920 to facilitate the movement of the workers from their homes to the metal companies on the other bank of the Lima River. The bridge is 227 meters long  and in 1990 it entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest suspension bridge in the world. A record lost in 2006. The Suspended Bridge of the Ferriere can be accessed from the hamlet of Mammiano or from the road near Popiglio (PT). So prepare your spirit of adventure and step into the shoes of Indiana Jones, but if you suffer from vertigo don't look down!

-L’isola Santa
Isola Santa is one of the most beautiful villages in Tuscany and is often compared to a typical place from fairy tales, however suggestive it is.
The first certain news dates back to 1260: originally in the town there was a "hospitale" that welcomed travelers who crossed the Apuane passing through the Foce di Mosceta to go from Versilia to Garfagnana or vice versa. We suggest you to take the road that goes from Garfagnana to Versilia through the Cipollaio pass. The sudden sight of the sea will be surprising after traveling through the pristine woods.

-Il lago di Vagli
Vagli lake is in itself a beautiful place in the Garfagnana mountains but its real charm lies in the ghost town of Fabbriche di Careggine, a small village that was submerged when the hydroelectric dam was built. Incredibly, this village came to light 4 times during cleaning and maintenance. The lake was drained in 1958, 1974, 1983 and, the last time, in 1994. The next emptying, scheduled for 2022, has now been postponed to 2023

In the province of Pisa


-Il Museo Piaggio
The Piaggio Museum was born in Pontedera to preserve the extraordinary historical memory of one of the symbols of Made in Italy in the world: the legendary Vespa. The permanent exhibition includes more than 100 Vespa models including the first prototypes, the Vespa autographed by Salvador Dalì, without forgetting the great classics such as the 1951 Vespa 125, the model used by Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on the set of "Vacanze Romane" "
In addition to the Vespas it is possible to find the Gilera motorbikes  and the Ape the scooter used like taxis in the seaside resort among whom the most renowned Capri, Ischia and Riccione. It is famous the picture with Charlie Chaplin in Capri in 1956

-Parco di San Rossore
The San Rossore park is one of the largest coastal parks in Italy! It is included in the list of very beautiful things that exist in Tuscany, but as it is not yet well known, is not as busy as other Tuscan locations. It includes 30 km of coastline, the mouths of the Arno and Serchio rivers and Lake Massaciuccoli. It also produces vegetables, honey, cheese and there is cattle breeding. It is possible to visit the park on foot, by bicycle, on horseback or by carriage. It is also possible to visit the entire area on board a canoe or a small boat.
It is advisable to visit the park with a guide who will also show you the areas not otherwise accessible.

- Certosa di Calci
The Certosa di Calci, founded in 1366 is one of the most important Carthusian monasteries in Italy and was expanded over the centuries. Between 1764 and 1797 important expansion and decoration works were carried out which will transform the Certosa into one of the most significant examples of eighteenth-century art and architecture in Tuscany. It became state property in 1866 and has been declared a national monument. Today it houses the Museum of Natural History and the Territory on one side and the National Museum of the monumental Charterhouse on the other.

- Toiano Il borgo Fantasma

Toiano is a small abandoned medieval village in the heart of Tuscany. This being "deserted" and "abandoned" carries with it an indescribable charm. The whole town seems to have stopped, time goes by but without any mobility.
You enter the village through a bridge that was once a drawbridge and walking through the deserted and silent streets you can admire a beautiful landscape.

If you are looking for luxury Tuscany villas in Lucca and Pisa areas, or you are looking for things to do and see on your Tuscany holiday, contact Salogi Villas or search our website today!

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