Ruota: Village Tradition, Historic Paths and Landscape

Ruota combines a distinctive village tradition with historic paths and a landscape where forests, meadows, olive groves and the hills of Lucca come together. For your stay in Tuscany, the village therefore offers a range of experiences: you can attend an annual re-enactment, explore rural paths or follow a documented mountain biking route with several cultural and scenic points of interest.

The Living Nativity Scene in the historic village

The Presepe Vivente di Ruota is staged in the village’s cobbled lanes and old stone houses. Local residents portray shepherds, artisans and biblical figures. This Christmas tradition takes place every year on 26 December, the feast of Saint Stephen. In 2023, the 33rd edition was held. The fixed date and the integration of the old village structure distinguish the event from a purely theatrical performance: the lanes and stone houses form part of the setting for the re-enactment. Other cultural connections include Ruota Borgo as one of the places mentioned for the traditional flower carpets created for Corpus Christi in Capannori. Another specific point of interest is the public natural spring Fonte La Pollina on Via del Monte Serra. It is part of the “Via della Buona Acqua” project run by the Municipality of Capannori and adds a connection to the local water supply to the cultural experience.

Historic paths through forests, meadows and rural areas

For walks, the network of paths in the Borgo delle Camelie extends as far as Ruota. It forms a varied, accessible network through forests, meadows and rural areas. The historic paths around the Borgo delle Camelie, which also pass through Ruota, have been used by residents and visitors for centuries. Along the way, they preserve traces of rural architecture and distinctive landscapes. The focus is therefore not only on individual viewpoints, but also on the connection between the route, farming-related architecture and the landscape. At the entrance to Ruota stands the Chiesa di San Bartolomeo complex in a raised, secluded position between forests and olive groves. This specific location adds a historic destination to the village that is also closely connected to the surrounding landscape.

A mountain biking route across Monte Serra

A proposed mountain biking route leads from Badia di Cantignano over the summit of Monte Serra, at 812 metres above sea level, through Ruota and onward via Colle del Monumento to Pieve di Compito. From Ruota, the route continues to Colle del Monumento. In the area of Colle del Monumento, it runs from the church of Ruota to the Monumento dei Caduti. From there, the view extends over villages at lower elevations among the hills of Lucca. The route in Ruota also includes several springs for water supplies along the way. If you would like to discover more places, you can also find Pieve Di Compito, San Leonardo In Treponzio, Corte Polito, Petrognano, Lunata, All'erta, Lammari and Massa Macinaia.

For the higher-level travel overview: Capannori.