The Way of St. Jacopo

The first stage connects the two most densely populated and urbanized cities in Tuscany; it takes place mainly on paved roads but keeping to a quiet alternative road network avoiding city chaos, minimizing suburbs and industrial areas and involving numerous historical landmarks.
Along this stretch, which has little uphill gradient, there are tabernacles, parish churches, ancient mansions such as the Medici Villa in Careggi, glimpses of the more classic Tuscan countryside, Etruscan and industrial archaeological sites and fortifications, such as the Castle in Calenzano. An artistic and historical heritage that adds to the already rich heritage of Florence and Prato.

As you leave Prato, you continue along the Bisenzio River and the environment around becomes more natural. This is a stage considered to be of medium level not so much for its length as for the uphill elevation gain, which also involves protected areas such as Monteferrato, where the highest point of about 350 m above sea level is reached, a natural balcony from which the city of Pistoia and its dome can already be appreciated. Descending to the valley, one intercepts the Montemurlo Castle and the placid countryside of Montale, and then enters the walls of Pistoia, notices near Piazza del Duomo a memorial stone with the symbol of the Way of St. James and arrives at the San Zeno Cathedral, the culmination of the second stage.

The itinerary becomes very varied, crossing hills, villages, castles, Romanesque churches and winding along paths and paved roads. A scenic up and down of villages and hillocks that makes this stretch again a medium level stage, at a time of places full of history and charm such as the parish church of Groppoli and the castle of Serravalle, and of relaxation such as the Montecatini hot springs. As you go up and down, you will cross fortified villages such as the so-called citrus village, the charming Buggiano Castello, Stignano and Uzzano, from which you can see a splendid panorama of the Valdinievole and Pescia.

The route leaving Pescia is still characterized by elevations, although the stage is at an easy level, and it soon reaches the spectacular architectural complex of Collodi and Villa Garzoni, the village of Pinocchio. A succession of other delightful villages such as Petrognano and Segromigno in Monte, also custodians of ancient luxurious villas such as Villa Mansi, and you reach the vicinity of the Serchio River. Skirting its waters that sometimes turn deep green, one arrives in Lucca and in the presence of the Cathedral of San Martino, where the ancient and venerated wooden crucifix of the "Holy Face" is preserved.

Even at the gates of Lucca a wonderful rural picture opens up, consisting of villas, villages, parish churches. The route, always easy, keeps at the foot of the hills and then climbs along the slopes of Mount Pisano, alternating paths and paved roads and crossing remote places of worship and medieval fortresses such as the Ripafratta Fortress, an outpost on the border between Pisa and Lucca, today an evocative ruin. Amid cultivated fields and canals, one sees the symbol of Pisa, its Leaning Tower, pop up. Quickly past the suburbs, Piazza dei Miracoli shows itself in all its artistic and architectural beauty.

The two Tuscan maritime cities divided by history and their proverbial rivalry, united by the last spectacular stage of the Way of St. Jacopo. The most challenging of all, it leaves the city of Pisa by following the Lungarno and passing through the Porta a Mare gate. The route leads into the middle of the countryside and into the presence of the Basilica of San Piero a Grado, a sublime example of Romanesque ecclesiastical architecture, and then, after passing through a pleasant pine forest, overlooks the sea and offers the opportunity for a nice, regenerating swim. Livorno is there shortly waiting with all its wonders, from the Medici fortress to the Venezia quarter, but the final destination of the stage and of the Way, is the Church of St. Jacopo in Acquaviva, a splendid religious building reflected in the sea and from which many pilgrims, yesterday as today, left the mainland to reach Santiago de Compostela.