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Villa Saida - Nearest town
The nearest town to Villa Saida is Castelnuovo Garfagnana (700 metres away). Within the town is a 13th Century fortress typical of the time. The town has numerous shops, restaurants and bars and a railway station with links to Lucca in under an hour; Pisa, Florence and the coast at Viareggio can also be easily reached with a change of trains at Lucca.
Shopping in Lucca
Lucca restaurants
Giulio in Pelleria
Via Pelleria, Lucca
This restaurant is well known by all the locals for its excellent 'zuppa di Farro'. We recommend that you try this typical soup.
Via Pelleria, Lucca
This restaurant is well known by all the locals for its excellent 'zuppa di Farro'. We recommend that you try this typical soup.
Gli orti di via Elisa
Via Elisa n. 17 , Lucca
Tel: (+39) 0583 492141
Via Elisa n. 17 , Lucca
Tel: (+39) 0583 492141
Buca di Sant'Antonio
Via Cervia n. 3, Lucca
Tel: (+39) 0583 312199
Via Cervia n. 3, Lucca
Tel: (+39) 0583 312199
Le Querce
Via Nuova per Pisa n. 5583, Lucca
Tel: (+39) 0583 378138
Via Nuova per Pisa n. 5583, Lucca
Tel: (+39) 0583 378138
Le Castegne
Ponte a Moriano
Tel: (+39) 0583 359035
Ponte a Moriano
Tel: (+39) 0583 359035
La Mora
Sesto a Moriano
Tel: (+39) 0583 406402
Sesto a Moriano
Tel: (+39) 0583 406402
Ristorante Il Mecenate
Via della Chiesa
Gattaiola
Tel: +39 0583 512167
web: www.ristorantemecenate.it
Via della Chiesa
Gattaiola
Tel: +39 0583 512167
web: www.ristorantemecenate.it
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana restaurants
Ristorante Pizzeria Il Pozzo
via Europa
Pieve fosciana
Tel. +39 0583666380
Ristorante pizzeria Triti
31, via Roma 55032
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Tel. +39 058362156
31, via Roma 55032
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Tel. +39 058362156
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a bustling town with road and rail links to Lucca, Pisa, Florence and the Versilia coast by Viareggio. National parks of the Apuan Alps and Appenines are an easy drive away and open up a whole host of walks, nature and sports for your enjoyment.
HISTORY
The small village of Castelnuovo can be traced back to as early as 740AD but within a century, the village had become an important town with defensive walls and castles. Its location enabled it to establish itself as a transit point for traders and visitors travelling to the northern areas of Italy. Over the centuries, the defensive walls and castles were enlarged and improved. In 1924, Castelnuovo became part of the Province of Lucca.
The small village of Castelnuovo can be traced back to as early as 740AD but within a century, the village had become an important town with defensive walls and castles. Its location enabled it to establish itself as a transit point for traders and visitors travelling to the northern areas of Italy. Over the centuries, the defensive walls and castles were enlarged and improved. In 1924, Castelnuovo became part of the Province of Lucca.
TODAY
Even today, the defensive walls play an important role in everyday life in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The town walls contain the oldest parts of the town along with winding roads and small artisan shops. The more modern offices, residences, bars, restaurants and train station are outside of the walls.
Even today, the defensive walls play an important role in everyday life in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The town walls contain the oldest parts of the town along with winding roads and small artisan shops. The more modern offices, residences, bars, restaurants and train station are outside of the walls.
PRINCIPLE ACTIVITIES
Many local residents commute to work in Lucca, Pisa or Florence whilst a growing number are able to make a comfortable living from tourism or from the sale of artisan gifts and paintings.
Many local residents commute to work in Lucca, Pisa or Florence whilst a growing number are able to make a comfortable living from tourism or from the sale of artisan gifts and paintings.
ATTRACTIONS
The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul:
Located within the ancient town walls, the origins of the Cathedral date back to the 10th Century although todays building is based on the 16th Century modernisation. Much restoration was needed following damage sustained during the Second World War, however, the damage actually allowed restorers to see the original classical structure below and enabled them to follow the original buildings lines. Within the Cathedral are many important pieces of Italian art, which include a wooden Crucifix popularly known as ‘the Black Christ’.
Monte Alfonso Fortress:
Built by Duke Alfonso II at the end of the 16th Century, it was designed to offer the residents of the nearby town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana a safe refuge should the town come under attack or siege.
Whilst much of the fortress has fallen into ruin, a pathway has been developed around the fortress hill so you can walk the route that the defensive walls once took. The walk is approximately 1 hour on a reasonably flat surface and offers outstanding views of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and the Serchio Valley.
The Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul:
Located within the ancient town walls, the origins of the Cathedral date back to the 10th Century although todays building is based on the 16th Century modernisation. Much restoration was needed following damage sustained during the Second World War, however, the damage actually allowed restorers to see the original classical structure below and enabled them to follow the original buildings lines. Within the Cathedral are many important pieces of Italian art, which include a wooden Crucifix popularly known as ‘the Black Christ’.
Monte Alfonso Fortress:
Built by Duke Alfonso II at the end of the 16th Century, it was designed to offer the residents of the nearby town of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana a safe refuge should the town come under attack or siege.
Whilst much of the fortress has fallen into ruin, a pathway has been developed around the fortress hill so you can walk the route that the defensive walls once took. The walk is approximately 1 hour on a reasonably flat surface and offers outstanding views of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and the Serchio Valley.
EVENTS
Feast day of St Peter:
St Peter is the patron saint of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and the feast day on 29th June is celebrated by all the locals – many shops may close during the festivities.
Carnival:
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana really gets into the spirit of Carnival time during February and you can watch the many floats parade through the town.
September Fair:
The September Fair recreates the ancient importance Castelnuovo di Garfagnana held as a trading route between North and South. For 8 days, agricultural fayre is promoted for sale with a favourite being the local Garfagnino cheese. The tourist office has created a few new ideas to accompany the ancient traditions, one of which has proved very popular with the locals – Bingo in the main square!
Feast day of St Peter:
St Peter is the patron saint of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and the feast day on 29th June is celebrated by all the locals – many shops may close during the festivities.
Carnival:
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana really gets into the spirit of Carnival time during February and you can watch the many floats parade through the town.
September Fair:
The September Fair recreates the ancient importance Castelnuovo di Garfagnana held as a trading route between North and South. For 8 days, agricultural fayre is promoted for sale with a favourite being the local Garfagnino cheese. The tourist office has created a few new ideas to accompany the ancient traditions, one of which has proved very popular with the locals – Bingo in the main square!
Market Day within the ancient walls of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is every Thursday. The origins of the Thursday market can be traced back to the 15th Century under the rule of the Este family who passed a law stating that no arrests were allowed to be made on a Thursday in case they interfered with the running of the market. In centuries past, there was even an Army recruitment market stall to ensure the battalions were at their full strength.
Location Information
Swimming pool - The saltwater swimming pool is reached down 13 stone steps and is 14x6metres with a constant depth of 1.5 metres. The pool is heated and is open from mid-May to mid-September. 
Hydro massage pool - There are hydro massage jets within the saltwater pool.
Heated swimming pool - The saltwater pool is heated by 14 solar panels
Railways - there is a local train station within 2kms
House Maid - a mid week maid service is available on request
Laundry - a communal laudry facility is provided in the basement area. This includes washing machine, ironing board and iron.
Kitchens Include - 2 microwaves, 2 ovens, hobs, 2 large freezer/fridges.
Cook - available on request only for dinners. They also offer a service where meals can be delivered on request. Please see FAQ for further info.
Cooking Courses - available on request
Internet - internet connection available free of charge
Tennis - available 1km away
Parking - a parking in the basement level and a second covered parking area outside.
Golf - there is a golf course 6kms away. Please see their web site: www.golfclubgarfagnana.it
Bowling - 2km away
Distances - Lucca 47km, Massa Carrara 42km, Forte dei Marmi 83km, Siena 180km, Livorno 95km, Pisa 75km, , Florence 115km, Rome 395km.
Approach road - all paved road.