If you’re holidaying in Tuscany in the province of Pisa, why not take a day to explore the charming triangular shaped fortress town of Lari! This perfectly preserved Orange Flag awarded town is walled all around and has a magnificent castle nestled in the centre of the town on a mound. Tourists wishing to visit here have a wealth of accommodation available in the Pisa province surrounding this enchanting place where they can easily explore all the historical, artistic and cultural delights that Lari and the surrounding area has to offer.
One cannot miss the majestic Castello dei Vicari that stands tall over the town. It’s supposedly haunted because many centuries ago, women accused of being witches were tortured and killed in some of its rooms. It’s said that one can sometimes still hear the chains of the victims clinking as they wander around the fortress at night! What was once a military stronghold that fought off many attackers now stands in a peaceful and content community. It was lived in by many bishops, nobles and wealthy families throughout the centuries, as can be seen by the 92 coats of arms that decorate the interior courtyard of the castle. Visitors can tour through its walls which now often house an art collection or interesting museum artefacts.
In the nearby village of Casciana Alta, visitors can see a lovely octagonal shaped oratory of the Madonna della cava that houses some splendid artwork and decorative architectural features. This quaint little village would be the perfect spot to lay out a picnic in the sunshine and watch the world go by as you eat some of the finest local breads, cheeses and salamis of the area.
In the afternoon why not take a leisurely stroll around the exterior walls where you can admire the three completely intact ancient gateways into Lari town. Or if you’re lucky enough to be here during the month of May you can enjoy becoming part of the annual cherries festival that is celebrated here with great gusto!
Cherries are widely grown in this area and during the festival; visitors can sample a huge selection of different kinds as well as sampling some of the delicious local liquor that’s made from them. Delicious sweets, cakes and biscuits also fill many outside tables that you can enjoy.
This wonderful town would be an excellent stop off during your holiday exploration of Tuscany!
In the afternoon why not take a leisurely stroll around the exterior walls where you can admire the three completely intact ancient gateways into Lari town. Or if you’re lucky enough to be here during the month of May you can enjoy becoming part of the annual cherries festival that is celebrated here with great gusto!
Cherries are widely grown in this area and during the festival; visitors can sample a huge selection of different kinds as well as sampling some of the delicious local liquor that’s made from them. Delicious sweets, cakes and biscuits also fill many outside tables that you can enjoy.
This wonderful town would be an excellent stop off during your holiday exploration of Tuscany!
Photo credits
picture 1: Reinhard Braun / CC BY-SA
picture 1: Reinhard Braun / CC BY-SA
