Montecarlo, Tuscany

Montecarlo
—  Comune  —
Comune di Montecarlo
Montecarlo Location of Montecarlo in Italy
Coordinates: 43°51′N 10°40′E / 43.85°N 10.667°E / 43.85; 10.667Coordinates: 43°51′N 10°40′E / 43.85°N 10.667°E / 43.85; 10.667
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Lucca (LU)
Frazioni	San Giuseppe, San Piero in Campo, San Salvatore, Turchetto
Area
- Total	15.6 km2 (6 sq mi)
Elevation	162 m (531 ft)
Population (Dec. 2004)
- Total	4,450
- Density	285.3/km2 (738.8/sq mi)
Demonym	Montecarlesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	55015
Dialing code	0583
Website	Official website

Montecarlo is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Lucca in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 50 km west of Florence and about 12 km east of Lucca. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 4,450 and an area of 15.6 km².^[1]

History

Montecarlo was founded in 1333 by Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV. A true settlement, however, appeared only after the Florentine destroyed the nearby burgh of Vivinaia, and the authorities of the Republic of Lucca moved the population to the hill where Charles' castle was.

Montecarlo was a possession of the Republic of Florence from 1437.

Main Sights

• Chiesa di Sant'Andrea - The Church was built in XIV century. It dominates the village, as it is the highest building of it. This is the reason why from its foundation, it was forbidden to go up to the roof, for preventing from looking into the fortress. Just few traces of the original structure still stand, except for the crypt, because the church was rebuilt in 1783.

• Pieve di San Piero in Campo - The parish church of San Piero in Campo is at the foot of Montecarlo's castle. The building, among the first mentioned in Early Medieval Lucchese documents, has one of the oldest bell towers in the whole diocese of Lucca. The church was completely rebuilt in the XII century and again after the village was destroyed in the XIV.

• Rocca del Cerruglio

• Teatro dei Rassicurati

See also

• Montecarlo (wine)
• Battle of Altopascio

References

1. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

External links

• Official website of Comune of Montecarlo