22
Apr 2016
by Tuscany Ride Bike
On a hill overlooking the plain between Lucca and Valdinievole, there is the castle and the village of Montecarlo, famous all around the world for its excellent wine, but not everyone knows the real story. Today, walking through historic streets or drinking a glass of wine in front of beautiful landscapes, you get the impression of being in a place of peace and relax...but in the past life things weren't so easy! Montecarlo was founded afters a foray: in 1331 the peaceful village of Vivinaia which was at the foot of the hill, was destroyed by the army of Florence. In the Middle-Age between Lucca dn Firenze there were poor relations and the village had the misfortune of being exactly in the middle. Lucca decided in 1333 to re-found higher up houses around "Ceruglio Castle", which defended the top of the hill. The new town took its name in honor of the Prince of Bohemia and Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg who liberated Lucca from the domination of Pisa and came several times to visit the village.
The fortress played a strategic role in the battles between Lucca, Pisa and Florence throughout the XIV century, and it was from here that the great warlord Castruccio Castracani headed the troops in the battle of Altopascio, defeating army of Florence (led by Spanish Ramon Cardona) with a cavalry charge. The fortress was expanded in the XV century from Paolo Guinigi, Lord of Lucca, famous for building the homonym tower and for the beauty of his wife Ilaria, represented by Jacopo della Quercia upon the marble tomb located in the Cathedral.
In 1437 Montecarlo was conquered by Florence, that decided to strengthen the defenses of village in 1555. Later the season of wars between the tuscan cities was finally over and the village was able to focus on wine production and to start a quiet life. Tuscany Ride a Bike will take you to enjoy the wine and its unique atmosphere during a tour that will take you from Lucca to Florence ... not riding through the medieval battlefields but riding our bikes!