Leisure Time and Tourism: Surroundings
The Parish Church of Segromigno In Monte
The church, divided into a nave and two aisles, contains a 12C Romanesque column which, along with the original sections of the building, give visitors a sense of the cultural climate during which the church of S. Lorenzo was built.
This 12C construction, built of large square blocks of sandstone betrays, particularly along the large arches of the façade ( unfortunately those on the lower order were replaced by other decorative features) a more local interpretation of Pisan-Romanesque architecture.
The side walls (unadorned by arches) and the apse (whose arches were not built at the same time as those of the façade) were constructed at a later date. The original apse was replaced in 1738 by a square-shaped building.
Restoration work on the interior was carried out during the 19C, although the original 12C lay-out is still clearly visible.
Certain buildings, situated on the southern side of the church, which had contributed to the narrowing of the space between the church itself and the rectory, have recently been pulled down.
As well as S.Lorenzo, other features worth seeing are the recently restored slender bell tower, the marble shrine of the Pietà by Baccio da Montelupo (1519), the frescoes on the side walls by Ademollo and a detail of the ambo (early 13C) which is now located at the entrance to the rectory.
Colline Lucchesi D.o.c. Wines & Colline Lucchesi Tuscana Olive Oil
The villa-farms situated along the hillsides of Lucca are justly proud of the quality of the oil and wines produced here – and those in the district of Capannoni are no exception.
A favourable climate has contributed greatly to the success of these establishments. Since the year 1000, noblemen and their families have chosen to live and cultivate crops in these very hills.
As far back as the 15C, local oil and wines (well-known throughout Europe, thanks to the enterprising spirit of the Lucchesi merchants) were already widely appreciated and enjoyed – even by a succession of popes and grand dukes.
The produce of this area bears the Colline Lucchesi D.O.C. label. This wine-growing region stretches out along the hills of the municipalities of Lucca, Capannori ( Matriaia, Valgiano, Segromigno in Monte, Gragnano, Tofori and San Gennaro) and Porcari. The grape varieties grown here include those of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, and Merlot, used in the production of red wine, and Trebbiano Toscano, Greco, Grechetto, Vermentino bianco, Malvasia del Chianti, Chardonnay and Savignon, for the production of white wine.
Even the extra virgin olive oil of Lucca has been awarded the prestigious D.O.C. label (controlled denomination of origin). In fact, this oil is held in such high esteem, that experts look on it as the benchmark when evaluating the quality of other olive oils.
The varieties of olives used in production are: 90% “Frantoio”, up to 20% “Leccino” and to a lesser degree, the “Pendolino” and “Maurino” varieties.
In the villages of Capannori, the local cuisine has taken on an almost ‘culturally’ important role. Sampling the region’s traditional dishes (accompanied by the local oil and wine) is the best way of getting to know the area itself.
The ‘Wine Route of the Lucchesi Hills and Montecarlo’ starts off in the southern part of the municipality (near the Candia wine-growing area), towards the eastern edge of Tuscany. To travel along this route, it would be a good idea to start off from Lucca ( sites worth visiting include the Cathedral of San Martino, the famous Piazza del Mercato and the Villas). Proceeding from Santo Stefano and heading in the direction of San Quirico di Moriano, you eventually arrive at Ponte a Moriano. From here, continuing along through the villages of Colle, Valgiano and Gragnano you come to Montecarlo. The red and white wines produced here all bear the ‘D.O.C. delle Colline Lucchesi e di Montecarlo’ label.
