Camaiore is a city andcomune of 32,513 inhabitants within theprovince of Lucca,Tuscany, central-western Italy. It stretches from theApuan Alps to the east, to the plains and the coast ofVersilia to the west.
Camaiore has Roman origins, as it was the site of one of the largest Roman encampments near the city ofLucca and an important station along theVia Cassia. From this we find the origins of the name"Campus Maior" (Campo Maggiore).
In theMiddle Ages, the town grew considerably thanks to the oldVia Francigena, which follows northwest from Lucca, towards theLunigiana andPasso della Cisa, and on to 'Campo Maggiore'. The city represented the twenty-seventh stage during the journey ofSigeric, 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.[3]
While Camaiore has Roman origins, and it was heavily contested between the competitive city-states of Lucca and Pisa, it remained largely uninhabited until the 1800s due to its particularly marshy grounds. Eventually, many of the marshes in the area were drained, allowing for growth and development to take place in Camaiore. First, the main streets were constructed, and then several hotels were built for tourists that still come to the area today.[4]
Camaiore is the largest municipality inVersilia and its territory has many different environments. It extends from the beach inLido di Camaiore, to the peaks of the Apuan Alps including the peaks ofMonte Prana,Mount Matanna andMount Gabberi and passes through both high and low hills. The plains of Capezzano 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 thesummer 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 theLombricese that runs at the foot ofMount Gabberi, touching the nearby towns of Lombrici and joining another river, theLucese, which comes down from the pass of the same name, arriving in the valley throughNocchiMarignana (Camaiore) areas and the lower part ofPieve di Camaiore up to Camaiore. From here onwards, it joins with the Lombricese to form theCamaiore river down to itsmouth 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 ofPiombino and not theTyrrhenian Sea as many mistakenly believe.
In Camaiore, one of the highlights of the year is the feast of Corpus Domini, locals come out to make and view brightly coloredsawdust carpets, and to participate in the religious procession whose route they are built to decorate. The carpets, which use new designs each year, are built on the Saturday night before the feast, often late into the night, and last only until the end of the Corpus Domini procession the following morning. Running the length of the old city, they serve as an adornment for Sunday morning's Eucharistic procession, a manifestation of civic pride, and a catechetical device. The feast of Corpus Domini, the Body of the Lord, also known as Corpus Christi in many parts of the world, is an occasion for devotion to the belief in the real presence of Christ in the consecrated host. The origins of the feast are in Liège, Belgium, in the 13th century. It is held in the last days of May or the first days of June, depending on the date of Easter that year.[5] In Camaiore is present the international school EIS Versilia.
Church of the Badia di San Pietro (church of the Abbey of San Pietro) is the remaining building of a large former Benedictine monastery, documented as early as 761 duringLombard rule of Northern Italy. TheRomanesque style church dates from the 12th century. One century later it was conceded to theFlorians; the cloistered monastery was surrounded by walls, of which only scant features remain. The church has a simple façade following the elevation of the internal nave and apses, with a doublemullioned window above the portal, with a polychrome fresco depictingEnthroned Madonna with Child and Two Saints. Internally, thebasilica plan is divided by two rows ofround arches supported by square piers.
Lido di Camaiore, a beach resort for the town just north of Viareggio on the Mediterranean Coast. The central focus of this touristic area is the Pontile Bellavista Vittoria, which is a pier that offers panoramic views of the sea.[6]
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 theGiro d'Italia
