Camaiore

Camaiore is a town and comune of 31,503 inhabitants within the province of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. It stretches from the Alps to the east, to the plains and the coast of Versilia to the west. Morphology Camaiore is the largest municipality in Versilia and its territory has many different environments. It extends from the beach in Lido di Camaiore, to the peaks of the Alps including the peaks of Monte Prana, Mount Matanna and Mount Gabberi and passes through both high and low hills. The plains of caezzanese are also important, as they are known for the cultivation of flowers and the general growth of foliage. In addition to the lido’s promenade, there are also rolling hills with small crops of vitis and olives. Camaiore is rich in water, especially ground water, which is continuously extracted for private use including gardens and greenhouses as well as being used by some adjacent municipalities for the replenishment of local reservoirs. In the summer of 2007 strong earthquakes were felt that, according to some experts, were due to the excessive pumping of groundwater. Earlier, in the mid-nineties, chasms formed which caused extensive damage including the collapse of some houses. Small rivers can be found throughout the area, which are fed by drainage water from the mountains. One of the more important rivers is the Lombricese that runs at the foot of Mount Gabberi, touching the nearby towns of Lombrici and joining another river, the Lucese, which comes down from the pass of the same name, arriving in the valley through Nocchi Marignana (Camaiore) areas and the lower part of Pieve di Camaiore up to Camaiore. From here onwards, it joins with the Lombricese to form the Camaiore river down to its mouth which is called Fosso dell'Abate. Throughout the territory there are ponds and small lakes which are fed from various sources. The coast of Lido di Camaiore is bathed by the Ligurian sea, which extends from Liguria to the promontory of Piombino and not the Tyrrhenian Sea as many mistakenly believe. History Camaiore has Roman origins, as it was the site of one of the largest Roman encampments near the city of Lucca and an important station along the Via Cassia. From this we find the origins of the name "Campus Maior" (Campo Maggiore). In the Middle Ages, the town grew considerably thanks to the old Francigena, which follows northwest from Lucca, towards the Lunigiana and Passo della Cisa, and on to 'Campo Maggiore’. The city represented the Twenty-seventh stage during the journey of Sigerico Canterbury, and was called Campmaior by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1226, the Luccans destroyed the remote hill fortress of Montecastrese, situated above Camaiore on the slopes of Mount Prana, and the survivors of this battle migrated down to the valley in Camaiore as it offered more protection against future city-state attacks. Monuments Villa Borbone delle Pianore Chiesa dell'Immacolata Concezione e di San Lazzaro Pieve di Santo Stefano Via Vittorio Emanuele Teatro dell'Olivo Notable people Sigerico di Canterbury, arcivescovo Ermenegildo Pistelli, presbitero e scrittore Zita di Borbone-Parma, imperatrice Sport Born, raised and still residing in Camaiore, is the Under 23 Road Cycling champion, Francesco Chicchi, who is currently racing for the professional team of Liquigas. Lido di Camaiore, has been repeatedly a stage finish of the Tour of Italy 1997 (May 28): 11 ^ stage, won by Gabriele Missaglia. 2002 (May 19): the 7th stage, won by Belgian Rik Verbrugghe. 2007 (May 21): 9 ^ stage, won by Danilo Napolitano. International relations Twin towns — Sister cities Camaiore is twinned with the following towns: Überherrn, Germany L'Hôpital, France Rovinj, Croatia (since 1990) See also Alpi Apuane Versilia Via Francigena References