All those who take the highway to go to the sea see that wonderful aqueduct that accompanies travelers by car for a few seconds. Few people know that it was built by the great architect from Segromigno – Lucca, Lorenzo Nottolini. That aqueduct in 1833 will bring clean water to the walled city in all the fountains scattered around Lucca.

Nottolini, after having taken part in the works of the Royal Villa of Marlia and then being the “architect” of the court, began in 1840 on commission of the Duke of Lucca Carlo Lodovico di Borbone, the suspension bridge over the Lima stream that connects Fornoli (Bagni di Lucca) with Chifenti (Borgo a Mozzano).

The bridge presented, for the time, innovative technological solutions, especially for the use of iron in the construction. Nottolini took inspiration during a trip made in England, from Tower Bridge but not only, he saw other suspension bridges already built such as the “San Leopoldo” bridge, now called “Ponte alla Vittoria” in Florence.

The work was interrupted for the passage of the Duchy of Lucca to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1847. Only after the unification of Italy the works were resumed and completed and the bridge was inaugurated in 1860.

During the Second World War the support structures were blown up, damaging it deeply. It was then rebuilt according to the original design thanks to the involvement of the engineer Luigi Pfanner and inaugurated in 1953.

Now that you know there are no more excuses, choose a free day and drop by, please, always combine a nice lunch or dinner (that the province of Lucca is full of delights) and always remember “Don’t set out, if the mouth does not taste of wine “.

Truffle hunt in Tuscany

We all are (I am!) in LOVE with truffles: in pasta, on meat or on a simple piece of bread. It doesn't matter how it is presented, it is a delight. In 2022, the price of the white truffle, the most valuable of all due to its rarity, was over five thousand euro per...

Art is not boring

On April 8, 1820, the beautiful and enigmatic Venus de Milo was found on the island of Milo in Greece. Now in the Louvre Museum in Paris. It’s the most famous statue in the world and one of the most revered goddesses of classical antiquity. You can also call...

Which leaning tower? We have three!

A select few (or rather, a few curious ones) know that in Pisa we not only have the famous leaning tower, which became even more famous in January 2020 when it was also photographed from Corsica 190 km away, ... but we have three! During my tours I always jokingly...

Fina from San Gimignano

You can’t say you know San Gimignano if you don’t know who Santa Fina is. Serafina or Iosefina Ciardi, for friends Fina, is a very young blessed who lived in the mid-1200s. From an early age she cultivated a great devotion to the Madonna, in fact it is said that she...

“I don’t know where to go” is no longer an excuse

In full heat and with the fear of a faint, we arrived in Buggiano Castello. What to say? after facing the super climb you say “wow, it was worth it”. Also known as the “Borgo degli citrus” because it enjoys a particularly mild microclimate. Focus and admire the...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

A village inhabited since prehistoric times and known thanks to its thermal baths, San Giuliano is located in a favorable geographical position: in the province of Pisa and at the same time not far from Lucca. The main attraction is undoubtedly the establishment of...

The curious case of Colle Val d’Elsa

There are villages that do not exist … yes, this sentence made me laugh but unfortunately it has something of reality. While looking for a village to combine with a guided tour while going to San Gimignano I found Colle Val d’Elsa, one of these jewel-like villages...

The Holy Face, no longer just a legend

Also known as the “black Christ of Lucca” (for the color of the dark brown wood), it is an imposing wooden crucifix of 2.24 meters which, according to the legend of the writer Deacon Leobino, would be the true and only face of Christ. Arrived to us, well in 2020...

Stroll to get lost

t’s Sunday, you weren’t able to sleep late because obviously you woke up at 8 am, you’ve already had breakfast… what are you going to do? or It’s Sunday, you would like to be in touch with nature (but not too much) you are not a super sportive one (like to do 8 hours...

Italy as we know it

Italy is divided into 20 regions (use this official link Italia.it to know the “boot”) The total land area of Italy is approximately 301,328 square kilometres. The regions are divided into provinces, 110 in all, varying dramatically in size. Tuscany it’s a REGION....
en_US