The Lucca plain

The Lucchese plain is that vast area, enclosed by hill slopes, that surrounds the city on three sides. The landscape of the plain, which is prevalently agricultural,is studded with noble villas - there are more than 300 of them - and centuries-old parish churches. The villas, or, rather, "palazzi in villa" (palaces in village) , are historic country residences that were built by merchants from Lucca between the 15th and 19th centuries, as investments of their profit from silk trade and banking activities. The "palace in a villa" constituted the summer residence as an alternative to the winter residence in the city. Perfectly preserved, many of these historic residences are open to the pubblic, for cultural events and others are involved in farm.holiday activities.
The term "Pieve" (parish church) indicates the meeting place for the Christian population for the celebretion of the Mass. These parish churches are prevantly dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, the Apostles or to saint of the Roman era. Capannori, the first Comune coming from Lucca, was the biggest agricultural Comune of Italy since the years 60th. Its principal characteristic is represented by the "corti", agglomerates of rural houses arranged according to a typical scene of the Lucchese countryside. The buildings and rustic appurtenances are stretched out andlinedup along the mayor and minor roads. The "corti" represent the historical heritage realised and organised by a rural civilisation to the point of constituting a dense settlement scheme that is both unique and original.