Camaiore

In the Middle Ages, the town grew considerably thanks to the old Via Francigena, which follows northwest from Lucca, towards the Lunigiana and Passo della Cisa, and on to 'Campo Maggiore'.

The city represented the twenty-seventh stage during the journey of Sigeric, and was called Campmaior by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

[3] While Camaiore has Roman origins, and it was heavily contested between the competitive city-states of Lucca and Pisa, it remained largely uninhabited until the 1800s due to its particularly marshy grounds.

In Camaiore, one of the highlights of the year is the feast of Corpus Domini, locals come out to make and view brightly colored sawdust carpets, and to participate in the religious procession whose route they are built to decorate.

Running the length of the old city, they serve as an adornment for Sunday morning's Eucharistic procession, a manifestation of civic pride, and a catechetical device.

[5] Born, raised and still residing in Camaiore, is the Under 23 Road Cycling champion, Francesco Chicchi, who is currently racing for the professional team of Liquigas.