Rocca di Ripafratta

A place that I did not know, but if you want to take a walk and immerse yourself in the past, I recommend it, walls and tower in excellent condition, and inside the wall there are many things to discover by walking in the small bamboo forest.

Quite steep but not long ascent to the fortress. After the fortress there are other paths that are quite steep and long. For a not too demanding walk I recommend stopping at the Rocca. Beautiful experience sin the degradation and nature has taken over the castle, I dream of seeing it one day in better conditions.

Very suggestive place, shame about the conditions in which it is located. We hope it will be recovered soon

Many years ago I had the honor of entering the Rocca di Ripafratta, with the keys, but after half a day of adventures. It is the twin of the Verruca in an anti-Lucca tone, in fact it served as a border between the two areas of influence. The name of the town is important, Ripafratta means broken bank, and is the identity of the change of course of the Serchio river, which here probably in flood, took its current route that leads it alone towards the sea in Vecchiano. This has not always been the case, following the smallest torrent, or ditch of the Mills, which flows into the Arno at the bridge of the Fortress of Pisa; all you have to do is retrace the old riverbed that originates from the high Garfagnana, crosses Lucca by tangent, to reach the Tyrrhenian Sea. This change of course dates back to 1500. When a parallel canal was partly dug to regulate the Costanza plain. And near Orzignano it is also possible to observe the "Vinciana" gate which at the time neither closed the route. As already mentioned a great flood nor has forever redesigned the course. Also recently the Serchio broke through the control gate and broke through the embankment near the motorway, the entire plain north of Migliarino up to Massaciuccoli has recovered. When man puts his hands on it .... Returning to the splendid Rocca di Ripafratta, I invite you to reach it via the right bank of the Serchio, towards Filettole, because it is much more visible from this side. And it is also possible to notice on the left of the road various white stone towers that also follow one another along Mount Pisano towards San Giuliano Terme. And they are none other than the Pisan defense system, which with these towers visible between them, information was passed on in real time. Ripafratta, the Pisan Fortress, and the Verruca were the terminus, preparing any answers. The road that winds between San Giuliano Terme and Lucca is none other than the first route of the Via del Brennero, now straightened by the "FORO" which shortens for 10 km. The arrival in Lucca; but wanting to enjoy the Rocca, and numerous villas from different eras, as well as the splendid Romanesque Church of Pugnano, I recommend passing through the old stretch. It is the road, among other things, that a certain Uguccione Della Faggiola traveled around 1300 who, pulling by hand a "CARRETTO" containing a sword, asked whoever crossed his path what the name of the vehicle he was dragging with him was called. CART OR CARRETTA! ... then all right; but if they answered "CARETTO", as it is pronounced in Lucca, he calmly drew his sword, cutting off the head of the unfortunate person on duty. With this system, it marked the border between the Pisan Republic and the possessions of Lucca; he returned in triumph to Pisa, having filled his CART with Lucchesi heads !!!. To find out something about the hatred towards Lucca, look for the Museum of San Matteo di Pisa, I will soon let you know the historical connection. Bye bye !.

Having fallen into disuse following the Florentine pacification of almost all of Tuscany, the fortress largely preserves the high medieval walls and the defensive structures of the sixteenth century. The path to get there is very easy and accessible even to less experienced explorers. Once inside, the show is incredible. The interior of the fort collapsed entirely except for a single tower in the center of the place. The space is pervaded by reeds, herbs and ivy in a majestic triumph of nature in a suggestive union between plants and artificial work.