Altopascio
Altopascio è un comune della provincia di Lucca, in Toscana, adagiato nella pianura tra Lucca e Firenze
Обновлено 19 июля 2026
В этом сезоне · июль · Лето
Чем заняться в Altopascio сейчас
Рассказ
История Altopascio
Introduction and location
Altopascio lies in the Piana di Lucca, in Tuscany, just a few kilometres from the city of Lucca and not far from the border with the province of Pistoia. The municipal territory is mostly flat, crossed by historic roads that have linked Tuscan towns for centuries. Thanks to its strategic position along a major route, the settlement grew around a hospice for travellers, gradually becoming a small independent town. Today Altopascio is a convenient base for exploring both Lucca and the surrounding countryside, among villages, hills and historic centres of northern Tuscany.
History and origins
The history of Altopascio is tied to the Order of the Knights of the Tau, a hospitaller congregation founded around the year 1000 to assist pilgrims travelling to Rome along the Via Francigena. The ancient hospice, whose tall bell tower still stands in the historic centre, was a landmark and shelter for travellers crossing the plain. Over the centuries the town grew around this religious and charitable institution, keeping traces of its identity as a land of passage. Even today the urban fabric tells this story of hospitality, faith and pilgrimage.
Nature and landscape
The landscape around Altopascio is typical of the Lucca plain, made up of cultivated fields, tree-lined rows and canals that regulate the area's waters. Not far away lies the Padule di Fucecchio, one of the largest inland wetlands in Italy, an important refuge for many species of water birds. The flat territory, with no significant hills, has long been suited to agriculture and livestock farming, and over time it favoured movement and trade between Tuscan towns. Walking outside the built-up centre, visitors can still feel a rural atmosphere of quiet and wide horizons.
What to do and see
The historic centre of Altopascio can be explored on foot in a short time, offering glimpses of its past as a pilgrims' hospice. Highlights include the Campanone, the ancient bell tower that is the symbol of the town, and the Church of San Jacopo Maggiore, dedicated to the patron saint of pilgrims. Those who enjoy walking can follow a stretch of the Via Francigena crossing the municipal territory, tracing the same route used for centuries by travellers heading to Rome. Nearby, visitors can plan excursions into the countryside and natural areas, ideal for slow tourism in close contact with local history.
Flavours and traditions
Altopascio is known throughout Tuscany as the 'town of bread', thanks to a local baking tradition rooted deep in the area's history. Traditional bread, still baked according to age-old methods, remains a protagonist of everyday life and community gatherings in the town. Local cuisine fits within the wider Tuscan tradition, built on simple dishes, vegetable-garden produce and genuine flavours from the countryside. Visiting the bakeries and markets of the centre is an authentic way to discover the customs of a community that has always been tied to working the land.
Not to be missed
- The Campanone, the ancient bell tower symbol of Altopascio
- The Church of San Jacopo Maggiore, dedicated to the patron saint of pilgrims
- The historic centre, linked to the ancient pilgrims' hospice
- A stretch of the Via Francigena crossing the municipal territory
- The traditional bread of Altopascio, to taste at local bakeries
Что посмотреть
Достопримечательности Altopascio
Пути · Trovido Route
Маршруты в Altopascio
Вакансии · JobFlow
