A few kilometers from Lucca, you can find Mount Balbano, which is 149 mt. above sea level and separates Lucca from Lake Massaciuccoli, giving to all those who climb, the possibility to see an incredible landscape: to the east, you can see the plain of Lucca and the city center surrounded by its walls, and when the sky is clear, you could even see Pisa and the famous Leaning Tower; looking back on the other side, you may see the western side of the mountain (full of shrubs of the mediterranean vegetation) which gently slopes to the village, where is a church dedicated to Saint Lorenzo. That church was builded before 9th century a.C. and its Romanesque style was remodeled in the 16th century and again between 1870 and 1909.
Furthermore, is possible to see the protected area of “Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli Park”, certified oasis of Lipu (Italian bird protection association) and bird watching paradise, thanks to the wooden walkways allowing visitors to cross the lake and observe more than 250 protected species. On this lake, the famous composer Giacomo Puccini loved to hunt ducks and coots.
There are also traces of history in the area, populated before the Roman Era: the most important remain is Venulei's villa, built at the beginning of the 1st century b.C. , where is still possible to see monumental spa and baths. Lower down, there are other archaeological remains, probably a building, where travelers could stop and rest from work, which also has a small spa area with mosaics and marble furnishings. On March 5th was inaugurated the last pavilion, another important excavation that let us discover another piece of the ancient Roman population in Tuscany.
Of Course, Tuscany Ride a Bike takes you to discover the history, during a nice trip by bike!