Viareggio

Viareggio
Comune
Città di Viareggio
Aerial view of Viareggio (2022)
Coat of arms
Location of Viareggio
Viareggio Location of Viareggio in Tuscany Viareggio Viareggio (Tuscany)
Coordinates:43°52′N10°14′E
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Lucca
Frazioni	Torre del Lago Puccini
Government
• Mayor	Giorgio Del Ghingaro
Area
• Total	32.42 km2(12.52 sq mi)
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Population (31 March 2017)
• Total	62,169
• Density	1,900/km2(5,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Viareggini, Torrelaghesi
Time zone	UTC+1(CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2(CEST)
Postal code	55049, 55048
Dialing code	0584
Patron saint	Maria Santissima Annunziata
Saint day	March 25
Website	Official website

The Excelsior (right) and Principe di Piemonte (left) Hotels.

Viareggio(Italian pronunciation:[vjaˈreddʒo;vi.aˈreddʒo]) is a city andcomunein northernTuscany,Italy,on the coast of theTyrrhenian Sea.With a population of over 62,000, it is the second largest city in theprovince of Lucca,afterLucca.

It is known as a seaside resort as well as being the home of the famouscarnival of Viareggio(dating back to 1873), and itspapier-mâchéfloats, which (since 1925), parade along the promenade known as "Passeggiata a mare", in the weeks ofCarnival.The symbol of the carnival of Viareggio and its official mask isBurlamacco,designed and invented byUberto Bonettiin 1930.

The city traces its roots back to the first half of the 16th century when it became the only gate to the sea for theRepublic of Lucca.The oldest building in Viareggio, known asTorre Matilde,dates back to this time and was built by the Lucchesi in 1541 as a defensive fortification to fight the constant menace ofcorsairincursions.

Viareggio is also an active industrial and manufacturing centre; its shipbuilding industry has long been renowned around the world and its fishing andfloriculturalindustries are still fundamental sectors to the city's economy.

Viareggio hosts thePremio letterario Viareggio Répacifor literature, established in 1929. Amongst the other events organized around the year, it is worth mentioning theFestival Gaber,which has been held every August since 2004 to celebrate the memory ofGiorgio Gaber,and is attended by several high-profile Italian musicians.

History

Coat of arms

The current coat of arms was chosen in 1848 and replaces the previous one dating back to 1752, which showed an image ofSaint Anthony from Padua,the first patron saint of the city.

The current coat of arms consists of an anchor with a hawser placed on top of a white, red and green shield. Viareggio was one of the first municipalities to adopt thetricolore(later to become the official flag of the unified Italy) for its coat of arm; even before Italy was officially unified.

Ancient and medieval ages

During the 3rd century BC, the mountains of Versilia were slowly invaded by the Ligurian tribes who, coming from the north, stretched their area of influence as far south as the riverArno.In 180 BC the Romans defeated the Ligurians and started colonising the Versilia (the areas known today as Massaciuccoli,Camaiore,Pietrasanta).

The most widely accepted theory recognises the city's name as deriving from theLatinVia Regis( "Kings' Road" ), the name of the Medieval road linking the fortification built on the beach toLucca.

According to other historians, instead, the name derives fromVicus Regius.This theory is based on the fact that in imperial times, there was a small inhabited centre (vicus) in the area known as "Gli Ortacci" which belonged to the empire, henceregius( "Royal" ).

Several hillside towns started developing in theMiddle Ages,some of which are still active. The area currently hosting the city of Viareggio was still marshland and not inhabited. Around 1000 A.D. the first hostilities betweenLuccaandPisaarose, aimed at gaining control over the coast of the Versila, which since the High Middle Ages had been nothing more than a forest owned by feudal lords in constant rivalry with each other.

The Burlamacca canal and the old lighthouse.

The first mention of Viareggio dates back to 1169 when a wooden tower guarding the coast was built. A little over two years later, in (1172) a military building namedTurris de Via Regiawas erected, taking its name from the road that linked it to Lucca (known today as via Montramito). In the following years the area around Viareggio, was involved in the hostilities between Pisa and Lucca, in their attempt to gain control over the coastal area. The conflict was spurred by the desire of the Lucchesi to finally gain access to the sea, and to thePisanefear of the economic competition of its rival city. It is during these years that the feudal Lords of Versilia were forced to abdicate in favour ofCastruccio Castracani.In the following years the area upon which Viareggio would eventually be built was marked by a number of minor battles, invasions and pillages. In addition, the area was also affected by the pestilence which, recounted byGiovanni Boccaccioin his masterpiece theDecameron,spread throughout the whole of Italy.

15th through 17th centuries

In these yearsFlorenceexpanded its control overTuscany.Lucca, however, managed to maintain its independence in exchange for hefty financial penalties.

On September 10, 1513,Pope Leo Xremoved the port of Motrone from the control of Lucca. This directly affected the future of Viareggio which, from that moment, became the focus of Lucca's efforts to turn the town into its centre for commercial activities, and, in addition to the square-plan tower erected in (1534) with the aim to protect the port, several settlements started appearing.

The 17th century was perhaps one of the most difficult periods for the 300 inhabitants of Viareggio; the area was insalubrious, malaria and other deadly epidemic diseases made the lives of fishermen and farmers extremely difficult. Lucca, on the other hand, increased its efforts to drain the marshlands to improve quality of life and encouraged migration to the new town.

Slowly Viareggio changed its appearance; two small churches and as many factories were built, followed by a number of small shops. Meanwhile its port became more active, while the cultivation of the drained fields started.

18th and 19th centuries

Principe di PiemonteHotel.

In 1701 Viareggio became acomune(municipality). In 1739, thanks to the work of hydraulics engineer Bernardino Zendrini, the marshlands were finally completely drained and the town turned into a place where noblemen from Lucca came and built their palaces.

In May 1799 Viareggio was the centre of a popular uprising against theJacobinClub.

With the invasion of Italy byNapoleonthe Lucchese state was turned into a principality whose sovereignty was given toFelice Baciocchi,although the real power was in the hands of Napoleon's older sister,Elisa.Elisa's government was characterised by unpopular measures such as those against the ecclesiastic patrimony. Similarly, most of her financial policies were of dubious effect, although some were welcomed by the locals, such as the adoption of the "Napoleonic Code," the adoption of the metric system, and the introduction of mandatory vaccination againstsmallpox.

With the fall of Napoleon and Baciocchi, Viareggio was the centre of several acts of violence. In March 1814 the population openly protested against the French, an event which turned into acts of pure vandalism.

Viareggio remained under the control of the Austrians until 1817 when, as part of the agreements fromCongress of Vienna,Maria Luisa of Spainwas assigned the newDuchy of Lucca.The years to come would wipe out any good action that had been taken during the Napoleonic rule, although the new ruler would contribute to the town's expansion by building its firstmarina(seaside). In 1820 Viareggio obtained the status of city.

Following the death of his mother (March 13, 1824),Charles Louis of Parmatook over the government of Lucca and greatly contributed to Viareggio's expansion, by building a new church, a royal casino and two beach resorts, the first ones to be built in Viareggio.

On October 5, 1847, Lucca was acquired by theGrand Duchy of Tuscany.Viareggio, in this new scenario, developed as a seaside resort for the whole of Tuscany. In 1848 the city adopted its current coat of arms. In these years Viareggio was the destination of many exiled intellectuals of the Italian Risorgimento who were tolerated by the local sovereigns.

During these years Viareggio's economy saw a very rapid expansion through its already recognised beach tourism and the newly expanding sailboat industry. Its population increased from 300 in 1740 to 6,549 in 1841.

20th century

The beginning of the 20th century saw again a marked development of the coast and tourism industry, which caused a drastic change to most of the beach. ThePasseggiataor promenade was born, with its cafés and shops, contributing to turning the city into the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea." Wood was very widely used in most buildings, and in 1917, a large portion of the city was lost in fire in only one night. It was only during the fascist era that wood would finally be replaced by other materials.

DuringWorld War IIViareggio was subject to heavy bombings and entire suburbs of the city were destroyed.

After the war, the reconstruction finally began, but the city's appearance had changed dramatically. Today Viareggio is still a renowned seaside resort and is widely famous for its carnival and shipbuilding industry.

21st century

Main article:2009 Viareggio train derailment

Late in the evening of June 29, 2009, a train carryingliquified petroleum gasderailed while approaching Viareggio's railway station. The ensuing explosion killed 32 people, injured many others, and destroyed a large number of homes and families near the station.

Geography

The entire area of Viareggio extends over thecoastal floodingplain ofVersilia.Located on theLigurian Sea(although traditionally considered to face theTyrrhenian Sea), it has 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) of sandy beaches, of which 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) are managed by private beach resorts and the remaining 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) are public (most of the public beach is part of the Parco Naturale Regionale Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli. Viareggio borders the local municipalities ofCamaiore,MassarosaandVecchiano) (PI).

The municipal area comprises theLake of Massaciuccoliand several canals, the most important ones of which are known as Burlamacca, Farabola, Fossa dell'Abate (bordering the municipality ofCamaiore), and Fosso Le Quindici.

Subdivisions

Viareggio has a singlefrazione,Torre del Lago Puccini,having a population of around 11,000.

The city itself is subdivided into fourCircoscrizioni:

• Circoscrizione no. 1: Torre del Lago Puccini.
• Circoscrizione no. 2: Centro Marco Polo.
• Circoscrizione no. 3: Darsena/ex Campo d'Aviazione.
• Circoscrizione no. 4: Viareggio Nuova.

Climate

The climate is characterised by high levels of humidity (between 60% and 80% of relative humidity in the summer months) and a yearly rainfall of 700 to 1,000 millimetres (28 to 39 in) as a result of the proximity of the Apuanian Alps to the coast.

The main winds blow from the southeast: theLibeccioand the Ponente, which batter the coast for two to three days in a row, cause severe storms.

During winter months (Dec-Feb), high temperatures can vary between 14–15 °C (57–59 °F) and 4–5 °C (39–41 °F), while night time temperatures can reach below 0 °C (32 °F) on average 24 times a year. In the summer (Jun-Aug), temperatures peak around 31–33 °C (88–91 °F), with the highest temperature of the year being around 35 °C (95 °F).

• Climatic classification: zone D, 1416 GR/G
• Atmospheric diffusivity: low, Ibimet CNR 2002

Climate data for Pisa ITA, 1991–2020, Extremes 1973-
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	18.0 (64.4)	21.0 (69.8)	24.5 (76.1)	28.0 (82.4)	34.4 (93.9)	37.6 (99.7)	39.0 (102.2)	38.5 (101.3)	36.0 (96.8)	30.2 (86.4)	24.0 (75.2)	20.4 (68.7)	39.0 (102.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	11.5 (52.7)	12.6 (54.7)	15.6 (60.1)	18.6 (65.5)	22.7 (72.9)	27.1 (80.8)	29.9 (85.8)	30.4 (86.7)	26.1 (79.0)	21.4 (70.5)	16.1 (61.0)	12.2 (54.0)	20.4 (68.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	7.7 (45.9)	7.7 (45.9)	10.5 (50.9)	13.3 (55.9)	17.1 (62.8)	21.3 (70.3)	24.0 (75.2)	24.4 (75.9)	20.5 (68.9)	16.6 (61.9)	12.0 (53.6)	8.0 (46.4)	15.3 (59.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	2.6 (36.7)	2.8 (37.0)	5.4 (41.7)	8.0 (46.4)	11.6 (52.9)	15.5 (59.9)	18.1 (64.6)	18.5 (65.3)	14.9 (58.8)	11.8 (53.2)	7.8 (46.0)	3.8 (38.8)	10.2 (50.4)
Record low °C (°F)	−17.0 (1.4)	−8.0 (17.6)	−8.0 (17.6)	−3.0 (26.6)	2.0 (35.6)	4.0 (39.2)	9.0 (48.2)	8.0 (46.4)	5.0 (41.0)	0.8 (33.4)	−9.6 (14.7)	−10.4 (13.3)	−17.0 (1.4)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	58.30 (2.30)	57.01 (2.24)	61.63 (2.43)	48.71 (1.92)	55.64 (2.19)	34.36 (1.35)	26.82 (1.06)	34.39 (1.35)	83.16 (3.27)	104.81 (4.13)	114.54 (4.51)	76.95 (3.03)	756.34 (29.78)
Averagerelative humidity(%)	77.4	73.6	72.5	73.9	74.0	71.7	69.2	70.5	73.3	77.6	79.3	78.8	74.3
Source 1: Il MeteoHumidity.
Source 2: MeteoStatAll temperatures and rainfall.

Economy

The primary sectors of Viareggio's economy are tourism, commerce and services, include fishing andfloriculture(the flowers ofVersilia).

The city also houses prolificshipyards.

At the beginning of the 19th century, craftsmen from Viareggio built small fishing vessels along the banks of the Burlamacca canal. As the century progressed, however, this smallshipbuildingactivity prospered until it became an internationally acclaimed centre. Nowadays, Viareggio is the main luxuryyachtsproducing city in the world thanks to the presence ofshipyardswith builders such asAzimut Benetti,Codecasa,Fipa,Rossinavi,Perini naviand many others.

Culture

Carnival

Main article:Carnival of Viareggio

The Carnival of Viareggio was established in 1873, while the now ever-presentpapier mâché– used to build the floats featured during its parades – was first introduced in 1925. The official masks of the Carnival are Burlamacco and Ondina, drawn for the first time in 1930.

Since 1954,RAIbroadcasts the entire event on national TV. Since 2001, the craftsmen of the carnival have moved to the Cittadella del Carnevale or, literally, Carnival Town.

Prizes

See also:Premio Viareggio

• Premio letterario Viareggio Repaci,a literary award founded in 1929 by Leonida Rèpaci, Alberto Colantuoni and Carlo Salsa.
• Premio internazionale Artiglio.
• Premio Sport Città di Viareggio.
• Premio Viareggio Sport.

Events

• TheFestival Puccini(held inTorre del Lago Puccini) takes place every summer since 1930, between July and August, in an open-air theatre with 3,200 seats on the shore oflake Massaciuccoli.A new permanent theatre was opened in 2009.
• Jazz and more..., music festival held since 2002
• Festival teatro canzone – Giorgio Gaber, since 2004
• Viareggio Incontri, at "Il Principino", on the Promenade.
• EuropaCinema,an international film festival reserved to the European film industry. It was founded in 1984 inRimini,then moved toBariin 1988, and finally to Viareggio in 1989.
• TheTorneo Mondiale Giovanile di Calcio "Coppa Carnevale"is one of the most prestigious youth football tournaments, with competing youth teams from clubs around the world.

Main sights

• Villa Orlando
• Villa Borbone(between Viareggio and Torre del Lago Puccini).
• Villa Puccini,Museum.
• Monument to theResistanceand toPeace,(largo Risorgimento). The monument is made of columns taken from the old City Hall, destroyed by the aerial bombardments of World War II, and two walls running perpendicular to each other. On one of these a mosaic fromJean-Michel Foloncan be found together with a quote fromQuasimodo:"E come potevamo noi cantare con i piedi stranieri sopra il cuore?" / "And how could we sing with foreign feet trampling onto our hearts?"

Sport

The city is home of theroller hockeyteamCGC Viareggio.CGC Viareggiowas the first club of Lucca province to be champion, in Italian sport. In 2011, they won theSerie A1 italian hockeytitle.

The association football team isF.C. Esperia Viareggio.

It also has its own professional beach soccer teamViareggio Beach Soccer.

Transportation

The pier and the Burlamacca's canal.

Motorway

Viareggio is connected toAutostrada A11fromFlorencevia A11/ "Bretella" Lucca-Viareggio and toAutostrada A12linkingGenoa-Rosignano.

Train

Viareggio railway stationis located near the city center, with 60 daily trains running along theRome–Pisa–La Spezia–Genoa line,and theline to Florence,as well as international trains.

Airport

The nearest airport is Pisa's"Galileo Galilei" international airport,just 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Viareggio's city center. Florence's"Amerigo Vespucci" airportis 95 kilometres (59 mi) to the east.

Port and marina

Two extensions to today's Burlamacca canal were built in 1577. It was on its banks that the first maritime activities developed. In 1740,Bernardino Zendrinihad a water-gate built in order to prevent the sea water from reaching lake Massaciuccoli. In 1820Maria Luisa,duchess ofLucca,had the first marina of Viareggio built. It was completed in 1823 and took the name of Marina of Lucca. Between 1871 and 1873 the so-called Marina of Tuscany was built, followed by the Marina of Italy, from 1907 through to 1911. In 1938 the Marina of the Empire was also built, which was followed in the 1970s by the Marina of Viareggio (also known as the New Marina), the Marina ofLa Madonnina,and the newlighthouse.The Madonnina can host up to 500 vessels. The city hosts the localCapitaneria di Porto,and all vessels registered here bear the marking VG.

Gallery

• 
  Statue of Burlamacco on Belvedere delle Maschere.
• 
  War Memorial in Piazza Garibaldi, known as "Piazza delle Paure".
• 
  Grand Hotel.
• 
  Torre Matilde and the Marina of Lucca.
• 
  Liberty-style building.
• 
  Villa Borbone, between Viareggio andTorre del Lago Puccini.
• 
  A float being towed out of the Cittadella del Carnevale.
• 
  Carnival Float, 2007.

International relations

See also:List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Viareggio istwinnedwith:

• Bastia,France
• Shëngjin,Albania
• Bridgeport,US
• Kunshan,China
• Opole,Poland
• Palmi,Italy
• San Benedetto del Tronto,Italy
• Pasto,Colombia

Notable people

• Princess Maria Antónia of Bragançawas born here
• Inigo Campioni(1878–1944), soldier and politician
• Araldo Caprili(1920-1982), football player
• Pierluigi Collina,football referee
• Marco Columbro,presenter and actor
• Eleonora Duse,actress in [1913] lived in a little rose villa behind a vineyard atFossa Dell' Abate
• Eugenio Fascetti,football manager
• Sir Francis Fletcher-Vane, 5th Baronet,lived in Viareggio
• Carlo Lenci(born 1928), football player
• Marcello Lippi,football manager
• Nicola Luisotti,orchestra director
• Renato Santini(1912–1995), painter
• Giorgio Michetti,painter and ultracentenarian
• Mario Monicelli,film director
• Giovanni Pacini(1796–1867), composer, lived in Viareggio
• André Puccinelli,governor ofMato Grosso do Sulin Brazil
• Stefania Sandrelli,actress
• Percy Bysshe Shelley(1792–1822), English poet and writer whose body was cremated here
• Mario Tobino(1910–1991), doctor, poet and writer
• Maria Valtorta,writer and mystic

See also

• 2009 Viareggio derailment
• Carnival of Viareggio
• Festival Puccini
• Football Club Esperia Viareggio
• Premio letterario Viareggio Repaci
• Versilia

Sources

History

• Bergamini, Francesco (1995).Le mille e una...notizia di vita viareggina 1169/1940.Viareggio: Pezzini Editore.
• Paolo Fornaciari (ed.).I quaderni del Centro Documentario Storico (Cenni di storia viareggina).
• __ (1994).I quaderni della torre.Viareggio: Pezzini Editore.
• Paolo Fornaciari (ed.).Quaderni di storia e cultura.Viareggio: Pezzini Editore.
• Del Carlo, Quinto. Ruggero Righini (ed.).L'antica magione...storia preromana di Viareggio e Versilia.Edizioni Dedalus.
• Bergamini, Francesco (2000).Viareggio e la sua Storia 1000–1800.Viareggio: Pezzini Editore.

Buildings

• Polleschi, Giorgio (1994).Le opere dell'ingegnere architetto Alfredo Belluomini.Viareggio: Edizioni della Fontana.
• Gravina, Luigi.Viareggio Illustrata.Viareggio: Arti Grafiche G. Pezzini.

Religion

• Menchini, C.; G. Pratesi (1996).La Basilica di Sant'Andrea di Viareggio.Viareggio: Grafiche L'ancora.
• __ G. Pratesi (1996).La Basilica di San Paolino.Viareggio: Grafiche L'ancora.
• __ G. Pratesi (2004).Luoghi ebraici in Toscana.Settimo Milanese: Grafiche Mazzucchelli.

Other

• Daniele Palchetti, ed. (2003).Viareggio.Milan: Idea Books.
• Isaliana Lazzerini, ed. (2003).D'incanto (attraverso Viareggio tra natura, storia, cultura e sogno).Florence: Maschietto Editore.

External links

• Photos from the Tuscany Seaside resort - Viareggio(English), from the site Freerangetravellers.com
• Comune di Viareggio(in English),the official website of the municipality of Viareggio
• Site with information about the city and a small dictionary about the local dialectArchivedJanuary 19, 2021, at theWayback Machine(in Italian)
• Site hosted by the "Carnevalari" Association, with news and historical information about Viareggio and its carnival(in Italian)
• Viareggio(in English),from the site www.aboutversilia.com
• Viareggio(in English),from the site www.versilia.org
• Viareggio(in English)from the holidaying site www.vacanzeinversilia.com
• [1]Viareggio Carnival(in Italian and English)