Monteggiori, whose name means small mountain, is one of the most charming villages in the Camaiore area, since it maintains intact its original character of medieval fortified village. It has an enviable position on the slopes of Mount Gabberi dominating the Camaiore valley, as well as Pietrasanta and the coast. The
castle of Monteggiori was at the top of the hill, where now the village stands with its paved lanes converging towards the walls of the
rocca. Its altitude allowed an easy access to woods and springs; at the same time grapes and olives, up to this day widespread in the Camaiore area, could be grown
Historical Information
Mentioned in documents since 1224, the
castle of Monteggiori used to be property of the Lords of Bozzano. We lack information about its construction; it was occupied by Lucca in 1224 and so shared the fate of the castles of Montemagno, Corvaia and Vallecchia that all fell into the hands of Lucca between the XII
th and XIII
th century. At this time the territory of Camaiore and all
Versilia was theatre of the bloody struggle between Lucca and Pisa for the control of the coast and was gradually taken away from its original owners, the local lords.