Discover Pugliano: Church, Castle and Palio

Pugliano sits on the crest of a hill at 610 meters above sea level. The town’s profile includes the Chiesa di San Jacopo, the Castello di Pugliano and the folkloric Palio dei Micci. The church and castle offer a glimpse into the area’s architectural and local history; the Palio has a regular place on the events calendar. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between historical themes and a specific festival day.

Church of San Jacopo and its architectural history

The Chiesa di San Jacopo in Pugliano dates back to the 13th century, is dedicated to San Jacopo and is devoted to the town’s patron saint. It retains clear Romanesque features and is documented in late 13th-century tithe records as a chapel of the Pieve di San Lorenzo di Vinacciara. Its exterior dates from the 19th century. Several periods are therefore represented side by side: the church’s early history, its Romanesque traces, its mention as a chapel and its later exterior. If you are interested in architecture, you can consider these aspects separately rather than reducing them to a single construction date.

Castello di Pugliano and the Turiòn

The Castello di Pugliano changed hands several times in the 14th century, including between the Malaspina, Lucca and Florence. Another episode tells of a rebellion: Cecchinello, from the noble family of Pugliano, and his allies seized the castle; a military expedition from Lucca then recaptured it. The changes of ownership and the recapture relate to different aspects of the castle’s history: control changed over a longer period, while a specific rebellion followed by a recapture is also recorded.

Pugliano’s tower is locally known as the “Turiòn” and is polygonal. Its date is uncertain. Its shape and age are therefore two different questions: its polygonal form can be identified, while its date remains unclear. Together with the history of the Castello, the tower offers another way to explore Pugliano’s architectural heritage, without implying that the two buildings share the same history.

Palio dei Micci and Mangiawalking

The folkloric Palio dei Micci has been held every year on August 15 since 1994. It takes place at Pugliano’s sports facilities and is organized by the Pro Loco. Its fixed date can help you plan your visit. Check the date of the relevant edition before travelling.

Mangiawalking is a recurring food-themed walk. A route described in September 2024 passed through woods and meadows to Pugliano and then through the historic town center. The food program for the 2024 edition included Marocca di Casola, Sgabei, farro soup, herb pie, homemade tarts and wine. The two events offer different points of interest: the Palio has an annual festival day, while Mangiawalking combines a route and food program for each edition. Check the dates and program of the current Mangiawalking edition in advance.

Another landmark

The Church of Madonna della Misericordia in Pugliano stands beside the road connecting Casola Lunigiana with Passo dei Carpinelli. This reference to the road complements the stories of San Jacopo and the Castello with a specific location. Pugliano thus offers a range of points of interest: the architectural history of its churches, the medieval shifts in power surrounding the castle, the polygonal shape of the Turiòn, and events with their own distinct character and timing.

Discover more destinations: Stazzema, Verciano, Careggine, Capezzano, Gallicano, Antisciana, Camaiore, Forte Dei Marmi.

See the broader travel overview: Lucca.