Camaiore

To this day, Camaiore’s stately buildings in its historic center bear witness to events that have shaped its past. Among these is the beautiful Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, which has a Latin cross plan and dates back to 1278. Originally built in the Romanesque style, it underwent Baroque-style renovations in the 18ᵗʰ century. Later, in the 20ᵗʰ century, the exterior was restored to its original Romanesque form. Equally beautiful are the Church of San Lazzaro with its cloister and the Lombard Abbey of San Pietro, founded in the 7ᵗʰ century. The latter retains its original Romanesque layout, including the apse and façade, being an important historical site along the Via Francigena. 

Palazzo Tori Massoni is definitely worth a visit. Today, it houses the Archaeological Museum that features artifacts ranging from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The museum offers an interactive tour featuring hands-on and experimental stations, in addition to collections ranging from prehistoric tools to a cast of a Homo neanderthalensis femur, local sites such as the Grotta all’Onda and the Roman villa on Via Acquarella.

In the center of the village, be sure to visit the Camaiore Museum of Sacred Art, established to gather and preserve paintings, furnishings and sacred vestments dating from the 14ᵗʰ to 16ᵗʰ centuries.

Since the end of World War II, Camaiore has become increasingly well-known thanks to its beach resort. Lido di Camaiore is, in fact, a lovely and elegant seaside resort overlooking the expansive Versilia beach that, since the early 20ᵗʰ century, has charmed figures such as Gabriele D’Annunzio, Eleonora Duse and Vittorio Emanuele III.

To explore a prehistoric karst cave nestled in the Apuan Alps Park, simply head to the town of Casoli and begin exploring the Grotta all’Onda, a karst cave of historical and geological significance, once inhabited by Neanderthal hunters and later used during the Neolithic and Copper Ages for agriculture and livestock farming. Today, this vast natural space is replete with waterfalls feeding a stream at its base.

Also worth visiting is the Montemagno Castle, built in the 10ᵗʰ century and located in the Freddana Valley. The Castle occupies a strategic location from which you can admire splendid views. From this vantage point in medieval times, it was possible to keep watch over the Via Francigena, thus serving both as a residence and a defensive structure. 

Visitors can see the tomb at Villa Mansi, dated to between the 7ᵗʰ and 6ᵗʰ centuries BC and attesting to the presence of an Etruscan settlement in Camaiore.
The town is then crossed by Stage 26 of the Via Francigena, which runs from Massa to here and by Stage 27 that ends in Lucca.

Since the end of World War II, Camaiore has become increasingly well-known thanks to its Lido, which boasts Blue Flag certification, rendering this one of the dream beaches of the Tuscan coast, with crystal-clear waters and golden sand.
Lido di Camaiore is a lovely and elegant seaside resort overlooking the expansive Versilia coastline that, since the early 20ᵗʰ century, has captivated such illustrious figures as Gabriele D’Annunzio, Eleonora Duse and Vittorio Emanuele III.
The boardwalk, which stretches for about 3 kilometers or just under 2 miles, features numerous beach resorts and even includes a picturesque pier. Of modern construction, it “plunges” into the sea via a long walkway that ends at a 700-square-meter or 7535-square-foot rotunda. A must-see during the summer, especially at sunset.

Yet another village worth visiting is Casoli, known as the “village of graffiti,” where, since 1950, artists have adorned the walls with artistic murals inspired by the painter Rosario Murabito. The works depict scenes from daily life, legends and local figures, created using a technique that strikes a balance between art and craftsmanship.

Each year in June, the Corpus Domini parade takes place. Camaiore’s historic centre is filled with ‘carpets of sawdust’ – called “pula” in the Camaiorese dialect.
The ancient tradition is carried on by a group of artisans who create breathtaking artistic works, long up to 40 meters, filling the city with color.

Among the traditional foods of Versilia are the tordelli, a half-moon of stuffed pasta served with meat sauce and Parmesan cheese, traditionally prepared on holidays in Camaiore, Viareggio, Pietrasanta and the surrounding areas. To prepare this delicacy, every family has its own recipe, so the ingredients and quantities for the tordelli filling may vary slightly depending on taste and tradition.

Don’t miss out on sampling 2 local specialties: Lardo and Mortadella di Maiale di Camaiore, both cured meats with a bold flavor that are always found on tables throughout Versilia.

Save room for the Tortadipepe (literally, “pepper cake”), made with rice. They say every family has its own special recipe, which is why there are numerous variations in how it’s prepared. This pepper cake is made, especially during the Easter season, by bakeries and restaurants in Camaiore as well as by families themselves.