When we talk about Lucca at “Two Parts Italy,” we typically are referring to the town (or comune) of Lucca. But Lucca is also a province in Tuscany (one of 10) and there are many other communities in the province. One beautiful town is Camaiore, which is only about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the historic center of Lucca, where I live. One recent day I had a rental car and a few free hours, so I took a drive over.

Camaiore is one of the outposts created by the Romans after they established the community of Lucca. It sits at the base of the Apuan Alps and is home to several architecturally interesting buildings as well as a beachfront, Lido di Camaiore.

My visit came on a blissfully cool fall day when Camaiore was almost devoid of tourists. It was easy and peaceful to wander the historic center, look in shop windows and admire the town’s ancient buildings before having a bite to eat for lunch.

The drive to and from on a back road instead of the highway was also a delight with stunning views of the Tuscan landscape.

Among the sites to see in town are the Torre Civica and Palazzo del Vicario, and the Arco della Vergene Maria and Porta San Pietro. The torre  (tower) is on the northern side of the Church of St Mary of the Assumption and was completed in the year 1350. A beautiful fresco of Mary and the infant Jesus adorns the Arco della Vergene Maria. The Porta San Pietro is the only remaining castle gate of four from the late 1300s.

It’s always amazing to me that visitors to Italy can wander streets and simply look one way or the other and find such history, art and beauty.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Stella (Church of Saint Mary of the Star), built at the end of the 15th century, is fairly small and simple, yet lovely. Even smaller and simpler is one of my new favorites: the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo. This tiny church was built in the middle of the 12th century along the Via Francigena pilgrimage route. It was heavily damaged during World War II but thankfully reconstructed in its original form. With a wood-beamed ceiling, stone walls and high arched windows, this church feels like the safe place any pilgrim would want to find. It is near Camaiore’s Museum of Sacred Art and a few pieces of art were hanging in the church the day I visited. The church’s Stations of the Cross are unique artworks as well.

In addition to the beauty of buildings and sacred art, Camaiore has flowers flowing from apartment windows and gardens that front its ancient streets. A sweet park is a respite with grass, a vine-covered arbor and benches artistically painted. The town has an archaeological museum too. There is so much to enjoy in Camaiore that I will have to make a return trip!   -post by Judy