Altopascio | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 43°49′N10°41′E / 43.817°N 10.683°E | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Tuscany |
Province | Lucca (LU) |
Frazioni | Badia Pozzeveri, Marginone, Spianate |
Government | |
• Mayor | Sara D'Ambrosio |
Area | |
• Total | 28 km2 (11 sq mi) |
Elevation | 19 m (62 ft) |
Population (31 December 2017) [2] | |
• Total | 15,572 |
• Density | 560/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
Demonym | Altopascesi |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 55011 |
Dialing code | 0583 |
Patron saint | St. Jacopo |
Saint day | July 25 |
Altopascio is a comune (municipality) in the province of Lucca, in the Italian region of Tuscany, with a population of 15,572.
Already inhabited in Roman times, Altopascio gained in importance due to its Spedale (hostel, first mentioned in 1084) for the pilgrims who travelled on the Via Francigena, leading from France to Rome. This formed the basis of the later Order of Saint James of Altopascio. This, founded by Matilda of Canossa between 1070 and 1080, was one of the first of the military orders; it existed for four hundred years, in which it had considerable social, political and military influence, and though gaining land in various European countries retained its strong ties to the town where it was founded.
It is famous for the Battle of Altopascio in 1325 in which the Ghibelline leader Castruccio Castracani defeated the Florentines Guelphs led by Ramón de Cardona. Thanks to his victory, he became duke of Lucca.
The Spedale declined starting from the 16th century, until Grand Duke Peter Leopold suppressed it in 1773, to favour that in Pescia.
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the Serchio River, in a fertile plain near the Ligurian Sea. The city has a population of about 89,000, while its province has a population of 383,957.
Pistoia is a city and comune in the Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of a province of the same name, located about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west and north of Florence and is crossed by the Ombrone Pistoiese, a tributary of the River Arno. It is a typical Italian medieval city, and it attracts many tourists, especially in the summer. The city is famous throughout Europe for its plant nurseries.
Fabriano is a town and comune of Ancona province in the Italian region of the Marche, at 325 metres (1,066 ft) above sea level. It lies in the Esino valley 44 kilometres (27 mi) upstream and southwest of Jesi; and 15 kilometres (9 mi) east-northeast of Fossato di Vico and 36 kilometres (22 mi) east of Gubbio. Its location on the main highway and rail line from Umbria to the Adriatic make it a mid-sized regional center in the Apennines. Fabriano is the headquarters of the giant appliance maker Indesit.
Pescia is an Italian city in the province of Pistoia, Tuscany, central Italy.
Fivizzano is a comune in the province of Massa and Carrara, Tuscany, central Italy.
Feltre is a town and comune of the province of Belluno in Veneto, northern Italy. A hill town in the southern reaches of the province, it is located on the Stizzon River, about 4 kilometres from its junction with the Piave, and 20 km (12 mi) southwest from Belluno. The Dolomites loom to the north of the town.
Montecatini Terme is an Italian comune (municipality) of c. 20,000 inhabitants in the province of Pistoia, in the Italian region of Tuscany. It is the most important center in Valdinievole. The town is located at the eastern end of Piana di Lucca and has a strong tourism industry, as well as industrial and commercial industries related to the spa, which in turn has increased the interest in hotel accommodation in the region.
The Republic of Lucca was a medieval and early modern state that was centered on the Italian city of Lucca in Tuscany, which lasted from 1160 to 1805.
Greve in Chianti is a town and comune (municipality) in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany, Italy. It is located about 31 kilometres (19 mi) south of Florence and 42 kilometres (26 mi) north of Siena.
Monsummano Terme is an comune located in the Province of Pistoia, Tuscany, central Italy. It is located in the Valdinievole, and is a popular spa resort.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a town and comune in the province of Lucca, Toscana, central Italy. It is located at the confluence of the Serchio and the Turrite Secca rivers, close to the intersection of roads passing through the Apennine Mountains and the Apuan Alps.
Diano Castello is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria, located about 90 kilometres (56 mi) southwest of Genoa and about 5 kilometres (3 mi) northeast of Imperia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,061 and an area of 6.0 square kilometres (2.3 sq mi).
Montecarlo is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Lucca in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Florence and about 12 kilometres (7 mi) east of Lucca.
Uzzano is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Pistoia in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 45 kilometres west of Florence and about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southwest of Pistoia.
Bientina is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany.
Castelfranco di Sotto is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of Florence and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Pisa.
Prata di Pordenone is a comune (municipality) in the Regional decentralization entity of Pordenone, in the Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, located about 100 kilometres (62 mi) northwest of Trieste and about 8 kilometres (5 mi) southwest of Pordenone.
The Order of Saint James of Altopascio, also called the Knights of the Tau or Hospitallers of Saint James, was a military order, perhaps the earliest Christian institution to combine the protection and assistance of pilgrims, the staffing of hospitals, and a military wing. According to American historian Ephraim Emerton, who produced the first systematic study of the Order, "the fame of the house drew visitors, both well and sick, including women in childbirth and infants" from around Italy.
Montisi is an Italian village in the municipality of Montalcino, Province of Siena, Tuscany. It sits on a hill on the boundary between the Val d'Orcia and the Crete Senesi.