Via della Rocca

Northwestern Tuscany


Next to Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, a steep path known as Via della Rocca leads up to the remnants of Pietrasanta's ancient fortifications. The crenellated city walls date from the early 1300s and what remains of Palazzo Guinigi was built as a residence for the signore of Lucca, Paolo Guinigi, in 1408. Views of the city and the deep-blue Mediterranean beyond are worth the short climb.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northwestern Tuscany attractions

1. Chiesa di Sant'Agostino

0.02 MILES

The far end of Piazza del Duomo is dominated by the 13th-century stone hulk of this deconsecrated church. Once dedicated to St Augustine, today the…

2. Museo dei Bozzetti

0.04 MILES

Inside the convent adjoining Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, this small museum explores the evolution of modern sculpture through 700-odd bozzetti (maquettes or…

3. Duomo di San Martino

0.08 MILES

Grandiose white-marble steps flank Pietrasanta's attractive cathedral, built in the 14th century on the site of an earlier church dating from 1250. Its…

4. Battistero di Pietrasanta

0.09 MILES

Around the corner from the cathedral on pedestrian Via Garibaldi is this atmospheric old-world baptistry. The pair of baptismal fonts – one originally in…

5. Chiesa della Misericordia

0.16 MILES

Tucked between shops on Via Mazzini is this precious chapel, frescoed with the Gate of Paradise and Gate of Hell by Fernando Botero (b 1932). Spot the…

6. La Citadella di Carnevale

4.48 MILES

A couple of kilometres from the seafront is 'Carnival City', aka 16 gargantuan hangars that serve as workshops and garage space for the fantastic floats,…

7. Bagno Raffaello

6.04 MILES

Behind the clock tower on the seafront, this family-friendly bathing establishment rents out slide-equipped pedalos and canoes to beach-goers and has a…

8. Bagno Martinelli

6.11 MILES

An eye-catching sea of bright orange-and-white parasols and deckchairs polka-dot the vast stretch of sand at this vintage beach, as popular as it was when…