Not to the confused with one in Monaco, the Italian Montecarlo is a tiny medieval town in the hills behind Lucca. The town was founded by Charles IV after freeing Lucca from Pisan dominatio. The name came from the Latin, Mons Caroli, Charles’ mountain.
Three of the original fifteen gates in the defensive walls are still intact. The collegiate church of Sant’Andrea was originally built in the first half of the 16th century and reconstructed in the 18th century. There is a tiny theatre, Teatro dei Rassicurati, where Puccini often visited. The parish Church of San Piero stands at the foot of the Cerrugii Hill. It is one of Tuscany’s oldest, with its origins in the earliest days of Christianity.
Our main reason for the visit was lunch. I will return to see the above attractions. The town is now on the centre of a major winder producing area, with beautiful surrounding vineyards.
We had a delicious lunch…pasta with porcini mushrooms and cinta sinese pork
Montecarlo is a delightful place to visit.
Montecarlo certainly looks a lovely little town & I love all the doorways & arches. Lunch looks delicious – just order the pasta & porcine mushrooms for me also!!!
By: Camillus Davall on October 6, 2024
at 9:16 pm
Porcini mushrooms are everywhere right now.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2024
at 6:27 am
Looks idyllic and hardly any tourists!
By: Wendy Bradford on October 6, 2024
at 10:45 pm
Montecarlo is a lovely little town. We were lucky to have a blue sky day. We have had lots of wet days.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2024
at 6:28 am
Looks so beautiful Debra. Lunch also sounded delicious.
By: cheryl conroy on October 7, 2024
at 7:43 am
It is a lovely town. There were several excellent restaurants to choose from. We would like to have sat outside but it was quite windy so we chose an indoor table. The food was excellent.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2024
at 11:44 am
Fabulous – but the Enoteca looks especially so
By: Jan Trounce on October 7, 2024
at 10:34 am
It was a lovely day and the food was great.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2024
at 11:49 am
We’ve stayed there and eaten there many times. It’s a lovely historic town. Quiet and some great views!
By: Doug Petroni on October 7, 2024
at 12:56 pm
We stayed there in 2003 on our way to Lucca and then Bagni di Lucca. We chose an apartment and bought it. We have never been sorry with our choice.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2024
at 1:16 pm
worth a visit for next time in Italy – love an enoteca for a light meal
By: Roz on October 9, 2024
at 10:29 pm