Discovering the Charm of Mommio Castello: A Hidden Medieval Gem in Tuscany

Hello dearest friends!

It always makes me so happy that you like my posts, and I'm really glad for the numerous comments I receive under these posts, they bring me so much joy and always encourage me to share even more new content with you here in this wonderful Community.

Today I would like to talk about a place located in the province of Lucca, a fraction of the municipality of Massarosa, a place called Mommio Castello. Actually, I must say it is a beautiful, picturesque medieval village that sits on a lovely hill and offers panoramic views of Versilia, making it a peaceful retreat for anyone seeking tranquility and, most of all, a lot of natural beauty.

It’s called this way because, probably, it was once an important strategic stronghold. It wasn't likely a true castle, but perhaps a watchtower, and even today, you can admire the remains of the ancient walls and parts of the structure that tell its history.

At the entrance of the village, I immediately found a plaque with a quote from the great Gabriele D'Annunzio. It’s possible that this great poet was here in this beautiful place. But continuing my walk, I could already see the breathtaking views from this spot. There was also a beautiful church, Saint Andrew the Apostle, with lovely exterior frescoes that are fortunately still well-preserved. Continuing on, I found myself in its narrow, winding streets, but sometimes I stopped in front of this traditional Tuscan architecture made of stone that still holds the charm of the past.

Part of the medieval walls, probably from this small fortress, have been incorporated into the houses that were later built. One thing that anyone visiting this place can do, besides admiring its architecture, is to embark on one of the many hiking trails that likely cross these beautiful hills. In fact, a lady I met during my exploration told me that there's a famous cave about 12 km away, but unfortunately, that day I didn’t have time to visit it.

Continuing the walk, I noticed that it’s easy to suddenly find yourself in someone’s private property because everything is so open and accessible. It seems like they don’t really fear anyone but are instead welcoming towards visitors.

I’ll leave you some information if you want to visit this place: it is about 6 km from Viareggio, a well-known town in Tuscany for its beaches, and as you can see, its elevated position offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Unfortunately, there are no public transport options that come here, so you can only reach it by car. Also, on the way here, I noticed that there are several accommodation options nearby, including different bed and breakfasts and even luxury villas. But again, this is definitely a beautiful place to immerse yourself in the more natural side of Tuscany.

I hope the photos I shared were interesting. See you in my next post, and I wish you all a wonderful day!