The Lance Manor Castle is a beautiful, small medieval castle built during 1500's. It is like a fortress of guard for the the villages in the area. It was built of mellow stone and was a Ghibelline's manor. It is set in a wonderful and dominant position,and is only 700 metres from the village of Lanciole. The history tell us that the Ghibellines, who sided with the holy roman Emperor, fought against the Guelphs who supported the Pope over the right to rule the nothern part of Italy. In the Manor Castle there are two independent cottages the Fairy and the Elf. And in the park, at the end has been rebuilt and restored the old farmer house, a cozy cottage "The Tale" with a wonderful view and private, only for a couple (or two adults and a children) with own jacuzzi, the property is a 40 sq metres with veranda and small private garden and with access to the pool. The Village where the Manor is located lies in the hills to the north of Pescia and Montecatini, a very picturesque area ideal for touring or relaxing in delightful surroundings. The Castle itself is perfectly restored, conserving the old characteristics but with all the comfort, so you will feel really "at home". The Manor Castle sits on an hill and it's surrounded by miles of woodland where you can enjoy long walks and the whole area is a patchwork of medieval hilltop villages which are all worth a visit. Lanciole, though tiny, has a bar/pizzeria which also sells a few basic foodstuffs. In ancient times the village was known to have produced "lancia" or spears and other arms.Many legends and tales have been said of the manor castle, what the knights made, the hunting, the battle for the supremacy on the guelphs villages... and did find a code invented to manage the work of the people in the villages of the area. The area makes a good base for touring being within easy driving distance of many famous places including Lucca, Pisa, Pistoia and Florence.
Lanciole - Tuscany , Lucca , Italy
Once upon a time on a hill between Lucca and Pistoia a village was born ,its name derived from the utensils that the inhabitants produced daily,lances. Lanciole is the smallest castle in the area, of Longobard origins it was built on the border of the domain of Lucca. In the upper part of the village you can see the church,rebuilt before 1638,it lost its romanesque characteristic features and adopted the baroque style. Near the church a defense core developed of which today you can see the guard tower transformed into the present day bell tower,and you have to imagine another tower below the village ,collapsed during the first world war now only a ruin. One of the buildings situated opposite the church, for its size and for the presence of the verandah with its well preserved sail shaped verandah stones,which faces the valley was the most important house. The castle of Lanciole was mentioned as early as 1382 in a list of castles in the area. CASTRUM LANCIULIS, CUM MURIS MERLATIS UNDIQUE CUM ECCLESIA, SUPER QUA EST FORTILITIA IN QUA MORATUR CAPITANEUS