Originally a watchtower, it was built by the Republic of Lucca in 1500, and then transformed into a prison. It owes its name to the incorrect attribution of its construction to Matilde di Canossa.
The Matilde Tower is the oldest monument in Viareggio and is the symbol of the city.
Built entirely of stone, it has undergone many changes and restorations; it is now home to cultural activities, exhibitions and displays.
The Palace of the Muses, built in 1867, was first a hospital, then a summer camp for children. Now it is a library and home to the Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GaMC) named after Lorenzo Viani, a famous Expressionist engraver, painter and sculptor of the 20th century, a friend of Gabriele D'Annunzio; among the artist's works we can also remember the monument to the fallen in Piazza Garibaldi.
Square Garibaldi hosts the Monument to the Fallen, a work by Lorenzo Viani, inaugurated in 1927. The sculpture did not please the inhabitants of Viareggio who renamed the place “Piazza delle Paure”.
All the children of Viareggio have always feared this area because of its so dark appearance.
One of the most beautiful places in Versilia: it is a pedestrian street more than 2 km long with Art Nouveau buildings, shops, restaurants and cafes. The Promenade of Viareggio today is very different from how it appeared at the beginning of the 20th century: in 1917 a fire destroyed almost all the buildings that were rebuilt in their current form. Here you can admire the wonderful Gran Caffè Margherita, a building with oriental shapes, with two turrets with Arabesque domes.
In 1822 the body of the English poet Sir Percy Shelley was found on the beach of Viareggio. The poet had drowned after the shipwreck of his sailing ship. At that spot there is now a monument by Urbano Lucchesi depicting the author. Shelley's body was burned right there in the presence of his wife Mary and Lord Byron.
This is a historic building located in the city of Viareggio, which belonged to Paolina Bonaparte, Napoleon's sister. The palace was built in 1822 on the seashore, in front of the place where Shelley drowned.
Paolina Bonaparte loved Shelley's poems and wanted to build the palace right on this spot.
This is one of the best examples of early 20th century architecture. Its current structure dates back to 1926 and was designed by Alfredo Belluomini. The painter Galileo Chini decorated the external façade and the interior.
Argentine Villa owes its name to the Argentine origins of its owner Francesca Racca Oytana. Completely restored, it now hosts exhibitions and cultural events, but you can also visit it just to admire its splendid ceramics.
A true green lung in the heart of the city, even more precious for the maritime reality of Viareggio. In reality there are two pine forests here, one right in the center and the other in the southern area that is part of the vast natural park of San Rossore. In summer the two pine forests are frequented by tourists looking for coolness.
Inside the pine forests there are rides, dance clubs, small restaurants and you can rent bicycles and the typical "grilli".
The luxury hotel that hosted nobles, intellectuals and artists was built in the 1920s with the name of Select Palace Hotel. In 1938 it took the name of Principe di Piemonte and also became the set for the filming of some movies.
The monumental structure is distinguished by its particular entrance on the corner of two streets.
Inaugurated in 2001, it is the largest and most important Italian center dedicated to Carnival. Here the famous floats of the Carnival of Viareggio are born, one of the most important events in Italy and most loved by the inhabitants of Viareggio.
The villa, designed as a hunting lodge, was built starting in 1821 by the architect Lorenzo Nottolini for the Duchess of Lucca Maria Luisa di Borbone. It includes three buildings: the central body for the residence and the lateral wings for stables and servants' quarters. The large park around the villa, now part of the Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli natural park, was cut by the large Viale dei Tigli. After the Duchess's death, in 1834 the villa was expanded, with the addition of new buildings. In 1850, the villa was connected to the lateral wings and the garden was renovated, extending to 36,000 m². Today the villa is used for cultural purposes such as exhibitions and conferences.
