VIAREGGIO

'Viareggio' is a town in the province of Lucca, situated on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea in the north of Tuscany, Italy.
The town has a population of around 60,000.
Viareggio is a popular tourist resort with a historic fishing harbour. Other industries include the manufacture of luxury motor yachts.

Contents

History

Main sights

Culture

Industry

External links

History

The name of the city derives from Latin ''Via Regis'' ("Kings' Road"), the name of a road built in the Middle Ages along the coast, and still existing as Via Regia. The city was effectively created in the mid-16th century, when it became the only coastal base of the Republic of Lucca.
Viareggio is one of the most famous and traditional seaside resorts in Tuscany. The wide, endless beaches, the excellent cuisine and the exciting night-life with its well-known "Versilian" discos -all contribute to make Viareggio a favorite holiday resort. A visit to Viareggio means meeting young Italians and enjoying the seafood specialities of Tuscany. During the tourist season a range of activities are offered by the local tourist office to all guests in the city. Viareggio is the ideal holiday resort for all guests in the city. Viareggio is the ideal holiday resort for all who love sunshine, the sea and enjoying themselves. Viareggio is also famous for its liberty period architecture.
The Italian writer Maria Valtorta spent most of her life in Viareggio and wrote most of her work there.
In 1822, the body of English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was cremated on the beach of Viareggio in the presence of Lord Byron and Leigh Hunt.

Main sights

★ ''Torre Matilde'' (1541), a Lucchese fortification against the menace of Muslim pirate attacks.

Culture

A Puccini opera festival is held at nearby Torre del Lago, a village that is well known also for being an important gay and gay-friendly summer resort of national and international appeal.
The Viareggio Prize for Italian literature is named after the town.


One of the most famous Carnival celebrations in Italy is held here, featuring enormous floats that sometimes satirize current political events.
The area of Viareggio and Torre del Lago is well known for being an important gay and gay-friendly summer resort of national and international appeal, Friendly Versilia.

Industry

The port city is home and one of the main bases for super-yacht builders Azimut-Benettiand CODECASA

External links

★ Viareggio Online

★ Viareggio official website

★ Viareggini.com