Exploring Stiava: A Hidden Gem of History, Nature, and Architecture in Tuscany

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Hello dearest friends!

As usual, I’ve fallen behind with posting, as this past weekend was a bit busy. I had to babysit because, unfortunately, my sister wasn’t feeling well. However, I did manage to find some time to write a few posts about my adventures from the past few weeks.
In fact, I visited Stiava, another hamlet in the municipality of Massarosa in the province of Lucca. It wasn’t my first time in this place; I’ve been there several times before. Still, I wanted to go trekking there and take some photos to share with you all.

The name of the place is truly unique. I discovered its meaning: “hut of the slaves,” likely because, during the time of Charlemagne, people who were deported, possibly Slavs, settled here and essentially gave the village its name.
As soon as I arrived, I was struck by the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta. It’s a fairly modern church, dating back to the 19th century. I also appreciated the park nearby, with numerous benches where you can rest in the shade, likely under maritime pines. From there, I began my walk, observing the various homes—some of which were in truly dreadful condition.

Of course, I also came across a monument dedicated to the fallen of the wars. Nearby, someone was dismantling the Nativity scene that had been set up in front of it.

Continuing my stroll, I came across a rather peculiar structure. It seemed almost like a covered pathway near a small stream. I wasn’t sure what it was for. What I did notice, though, was the beautiful Villa Buonvisi, which belonged to the Duke of Lucca. There’s also another villa, Villa Gori, which houses the library. These villas really showcase the historical importance of this area.

During my walk, I saw numerous buildings in very poor condition, but I also stumbled upon some cactus plants, which I never expected to find in this part of Tuscany. This is exactly what I love about exploring—discovering unusual things.

In conclusion, I must say that Stiava is truly a peaceful and picturesque place, with its beautiful architectural and historical elements that highlight its importance in the past. This also gives it great value from a tourism perspective.

I hope my story was interesting, along with the photos I took. See you in my next post, and I wish you all a wonderful day!

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