 HILLS |
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES |
|
|
LINKS |
|
|
USEFUL SITES |
|
|
TELEPHONE BOOK |
|
|
EDITORIAL STAFF |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
ALTOPASCIO
Altopascio is an industrial centre located at the border
of Valdinivole, close the Lago di Bientina, today a dry lake.
|
|
It
still preserves parts of the ancient boundary wall with its four gates
towards Via Francigena. Of the three gates that still remain, the
best preserved gate is the one called dei Vettori, which is dominated
by a monumental portal from the 16th century. From the Porta dei Vettori,
crossing the castle, you reach the Porta dei Mariani. The Porta Ospitalieri,
on the west side of the wall, was probably reserved for the Tau monks.
The only towers left that protected the wall, are the east tower and
the quadrangular brick tower called Volta.
At Pozzeveri you can visit the remaining parts of the old abbey, restructured
recenlty. The abbey was closed by Gregory XII in the 15th century,
but it still preserves many wells and the Romanesque church which
date back to the foundation of the abbey. The parish church of Altopascio
features some remains of the Romanesque church San Jacopo Maggiore,
a real jewel of the sacred architecture from the XII century, further
on incorporated in the parish church. The polychromatic façade
in Lucchese style is still preserved and on the right hand-side the
building you can admire the embattled bell-tower which was finished
in 1280. At the top of the bell-tower you find the famous bell called
La Smarrita, which was founded in 1327. |
|
 |
|
