61-519: Viareggio ( Italian pronunciation: [vjaˈreddʒo; vi.aˈreddʒo] ) is a city and comune in northern Tuscany , Italy , on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea . With a population of over 62,000, it is the second largest city in the province of Lucca , after Lucca . It is known as a seaside resort as well as being the home of the famous carnival of Viareggio (dating back to 1873), and its papier-mâché floats, which (since 1925), parade along
122-470: A Polizia Comunale ( lit. ' Communal Police ' ), which is responsible for public order duties. The comune also deal with the definition and compliance with the piano regolatore generale ( lit. ' general regulator plan ' ), a document that regulates the building activity within the communal area. All communal structures or schools, sports and cultural structures such as communal libraries, theaters, etc. are managed by
183-508: A comune (municipality). In 1739, thanks to the work of hydraulics engineer Bernardino Zendrini, the marshlands were finally completely drained and the town turned into a place where noblemen from Lucca came and built their palaces. In May 1799 Viareggio was the centre of a popular uprising against the Jacobin Club. With the invasion of Italy by Napoleon the Lucchese state was turned into
244-813: A comune as rione ( Italian: [riˈoːne] ; pl. : rioni ) or contrade . The term originated from the administrative divisions of Rome, and is derived from the Latin word regio ( pl. : regiones ), meaning "region". All currently extant rioni are located in Municipio I of Rome. The term has been adopted as a synonym of quartiere in the Italian comuni . Terzieri , quartieri , sestieri , rioni , and their analogues are usually no longer administrative divisions of these towns, but historical and traditional communities, seen especially in towns' annual Palio . A terziere ( pl. : terzieri )
305-483: A large number of homes and families near the station. The entire area of Viareggio extends over the coastal flooding plain of Versilia . Located on the Ligurian Sea (although traditionally considered to face the Tyrrhenian Sea ), it has 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) of sandy beaches, of which 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) are managed by private beach resorts and the remaining 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) are public (most of
366-598: A new church, a royal casino and two beach resorts, the first ones to be built in Viareggio. On October 5, 1847, Lucca was acquired by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany . Viareggio, in this new scenario, developed as a seaside resort for the whole of Tuscany. In 1848 the city adopted its current coat of arms. In these years Viareggio was the destination of many exiled intellectuals of the Italian Risorgimento who were tolerated by
427-408: A principality whose sovereignty was given to Felice Baciocchi , although the real power was in the hands of Napoleon's older sister, Elisa . Elisa's government was characterised by unpopular measures such as those against the ecclesiastic patrimony. Similarly, most of her financial policies were of dubious effect, although some were welcomed by the locals, such as the adoption of the "Napoleonic Code,"
488-526: A separate ruler, through the arbitration of Venice, which were known as sestieri . The island of Crete , a Venetian colony (the Kingdom of Candia ) from the Fourth Crusade , was also divided into six parts, named after the sestieri of Venice herself, while the capital Candia retained the status of a comune of Venice. The island of Burano north of Venice is also subdivided into sestieri . A variation of
549-484: A single frazione , Torre del Lago Puccini , having a population of around 11,000. The city itself is subdivided into four Circoscrizioni : The climate is characterised by high levels of humidity (between 60% and 80% of relative humidity in the summer months) and a yearly rainfall of 700 to 1,000 millimetres (28 to 39 in) as a result of the proximity of the Apuanian Alps to the coast. The main winds blow from
610-599: A synonymous of neighbourhood, and an Italian town can be now subdivided into a larger number of quartieri . The Swiss town of Lugano (in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino) is also subdivided into quarters. The English word quarter to mean an urban neighbourhood (e.g. the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana) is derived from the cognate old French word quartier . A sestiere ( pl. : sestieri )
671-578: Is Predoi , the southernmost one Lampedusa e Linosa , the westernmost Bardonecchia and the easternmost Otranto . The comune with the longest name is San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore , while the comuni with the shortest name are Lu , Ro , Ne , Re and Vo' . The population density of the comuni varies widely by province and region . The province of Barletta-Andria-Trani , for example, has 381,091 inhabitants in 10 comuni , or over 39,000 inhabitants per comune ; whereas
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#1732856098480732-501: Is twinned with: Comune A comune ( Italian: [koˈmuːne] ; pl. : comuni , Italian: [koˈmuːni] ) is an administrative division of Italy , roughly equivalent to a township or municipality . It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ( regioni ) and provinces ( province ). The comune can also have the title of città ( lit. ' city ' ). Formed praeter legem according to
793-518: Is a list of the largest comuni in Italy, in descending order of surface area, according to ISTAT data referring to 9 October 2011. The provincial capitals are highlighted in bold. The following is a list of the smallest comuni in Italy, in ascending order of surface area, according to ISTAT data referring to 9 October 2011. The following is a list of the first comuni by altitude, in descending order. The indicated altitude coincides with
854-454: Is a subdivision of certain Italian towns and cities. The word is from sesto ( lit. ' sixth ' ), so it is thus used only for towns divided into six districts. The best-known example is the sestieri of Venice , but Ascoli Piceno , Genoa , Milan and Rapallo , for example, were also divided into sestieri . The medieval Lordship of Negroponte , on the island of Euboea , was also at times divided into six districts, each with
915-592: Is a subdivision of several towns in Italy . The word derives from terzo ( lit. ' third ' ) and is thus used only for towns divided into three neighborhoods. Terzieri are most commonly found in Umbria , for example in Trevi , Spello , Narni and Città della Pieve ; towns divided into terzieri in other regions include Lucca in Tuscany , and Ancona and Macerata in
976-413: Is chaired by the mayor, who appoints others members, called assessori , one of whom serves as deputy mayor ( vicesindaco ). The offices of the comune are housed in a building usually called the municipio , or palazzo comunale ( lit. ' town hall ' ). As of January 2021, there were 7,904 comuni in Italy; they vary considerably in size and population. For example,
1037-700: Is granted to comuni that have been awarded it by decree of the King of Italy (until 1946) or of the provisional head of state (from 1946 to 1948) or, subsequently, of the President of the Republic (after 1948), on the proposal of the Ministry of the Interior , to which the comune concerned sends an application for a concession, by virtue of their historical, artistic, civic or demographic importance. The comuni endowed with
1098-563: Is home of the roller hockey team CGC Viareggio . CGC Viareggio was the first club of Lucca province to be champion, in Italian sport. In 2011, they won the Serie A1 italian hockey title. The association football team is F.C. Esperia Viareggio . It also has its own professional beach soccer team Viareggio Beach Soccer . Viareggio is connected to Autostrada A11 from Florence via A11/"Bretella" Lucca-Viareggio and to Autostrada A12 linking Genoa - Rosignano . Viareggio railway station
1159-506: Is located near the city center, with 60 daily trains running along the Rome – Pisa–La Spezia–Genoa line , and the line to Florence , as well as international trains. The nearest airport is Pisa's "Galileo Galilei" international airport , just 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of Viareggio's city center. Florence's "Amerigo Vespucci" airport is 95 kilometres (59 mi) to the east. Two extensions to today's Burlamacca canal were built in 1577. It
1220-578: The comune of Rome , in Lazio , has an area of 1,287.36 km (497.05 sq mi) and a population of 2,758,454 inhabitants, and is both the largest and the most populated. Atrani in the province of Salerno ( Campania ) was the smallest comune by area, with only 0.1206 km (0.0466 sq mi), and Morterone ( Lombardy ) is the smallest by population. Many present-day comuni trace their roots along timescales spanning centuries and at times millennia. The northernmost comune
1281-434: The comuni . Comuni must have their own communal statute and have a climatic and seismic classification of their territory for the purposes of hazard mitigation and civil protection . Comuni also deal with the waste management . It is headed by a mayor ( sindaco or sindaca ) assisted by a legislative body, the consiglio comunale ( lit. ' communal council ' ), and an executive body,
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#17328560984801342-411: The frazioni , but the comune still retains the name of the capoluogo . In some cases, a comune might not have the same name of capoluogo . In these cases, it is a comune sparso ( lit. ' dispersed comune ' ) and the frazione which hosts the town hall ( municipio ) is a sede municipale (compare county seat ). Some towns refer to neighborhoods within
1403-403: The giunta comunale ( lit. ' communal committee ' ). The mayor and members of the consiglio comunale are elected together by resident citizens: the coalition of the elected mayor (who needs a relative majority or an absolute majority in the first or second round of voting, depending on the population) gains three fifths of the consiglio 's seats. The giunta comunale
1464-562: The Battle of Mühldorf he went over to the emperor Louis the Bavarian , whom he served for many years. In 1325 he defeated the Florentines at the Battle of Altopascio , and was appointed by the emperor duke of Lucca, Pistoia , Volterra and Luni ; two years later he captured Pisa, of which he was made imperial vicar. But, subsequently, his relations with Louis seem to have grown less friendly and he
1525-480: The Marches . The medieval Lordship of Negroponte , on the island of Euboea , was also divided into three distinct rulerships, which were known as terzieri . A quartiere ( Italian: [kwarˈtjɛːre] ; pl. : quartieri ) is a territorial subdivision, properly used, for towns divided into four neighborhoods ( quarto ; lit. ' fourth ' ) by the two main roads. It has been later used as
1586-727: The Visconti in Lombardy , and in 1313 under the Ghibelline chief, Uguccione della Faggiuola , lord of Pisa , in central Italy. He assisted Uguccione in many enterprises, including the capture of Lucca (1314) and the Battle of Montecatini (1315), in which he was the main protagonist of the victory over the Guelph League led by the Florentines . However, due to his growing popularity, Uguccione had him jailed and condemned to death. An insurrection of
1647-622: The province of Isernia has 81,415 inhabitants in 52 comuni , or 1,640 inhabitants per comune – roughly 24 times more communal units per inhabitant. The coats of arms of the comuni are assigned by decree of the Prime Minister of Italy by the Office of State Ceremonial and Honors, Honors and Heraldry Service (division of the Presidency of the Council born from the transformation of
1708-695: The Lucchesi having led to the expulsion of Uguccione and his party, Castruccio regained his freedom and his position, and the Ghibelline triumph was presently assured. Elected lord (as lifelong consul ) of Lucca on 12 June 1316, he warred incessantly against the Florentines, though at home he renovated the Ponte della Maddalena , spanning the River Serchio . At first, he was the faithful adviser and staunch supporter of Frederick of Austria , who made him imperial vicar of Lucca, Lunigiana and Val di Nievole in 1320. After
1769-454: The Lucchesi to finally gain access to the sea, and to the Pisane fear of the economic competition of its rival city. It is during these years that the feudal Lords of Versilia were forced to abdicate in favour of Castruccio Castracani . In the following years the area upon which Viareggio would eventually be built was marked by a number of minor battles, invasions and pillages. In addition, the area
1830-550: The Marina of Italy, from 1907 through to 1911. In 1938 the Marina of the Empire was also built, which was followed in the 1970s by the Marina of Viareggio (also known as the New Marina), the Marina of La Madonnina , and the new lighthouse . The Madonnina can host up to 500 vessels. The city hosts the local Capitaneria di Porto , and all vessels registered here bear the marking VG. Viareggio
1891-544: The Royal Consulta Araldica , eliminated pursuant to the provisions final of the Constitution of Italy ). Administrative subdivisions within comuni vary according to their population size. Comuni with at least 250,000 residents are divided into circoscrizioni (roughly equivalent to French arrondissements or London boroughs ) to which the comune delegates administrative functions like
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1952-563: The adoption of the metric system, and the introduction of mandatory vaccination against smallpox . With the fall of Napoleon and Baciocchi, Viareggio was the centre of several acts of violence. In March 1814 the population openly protested against the French, an event which turned into acts of pure vandalism. Viareggio remained under the control of the Austrians until 1817 when, as part of the agreements from Congress of Vienna , Maria Luisa of Spain
2013-472: The beach to Lucca . According to other historians, instead, the name derives from Vicus Regius . This theory is based on the fact that in imperial times, there was a small inhabited centre ( vicus ) in the area known as "Gli Ortacci" which belonged to the empire, hence regius ("Royal"). Several hillside towns started developing in the Middle Ages , some of which are still active. The area currently hosting
2074-514: The capital of the province of Reggio Emilia , in the Emilia-Romagna region, and Reggio di Calabria , the capital of the homonymous metropolitan city , in the Calabria region. Many other towns or villages are likewise partial homonyms (e.g. Anzola dell'Emilia and Anzola d'Ossola , or Bagnara Calabra and Bagnara di Romagna ). The title of città ( lit. ' city ' ) in Italy
2135-407: The century progressed, however, this small shipbuilding activity prospered until it became an internationally acclaimed centre. Nowadays, Viareggio is the main luxury yachts producing city in the world thanks to the presence of shipyards with builders such as Azimut Benetti , Codecasa , Fipa , Rossinavi , Perini navi and many others. The Carnival of Viareggio was established in 1873, while
2196-517: The city of Viareggio was still marshland and not inhabited. Around 1000 A.D. the first hostilities between Lucca and Pisa arose, aimed at gaining control over the coast of the Versila, which since the High Middle Ages had been nothing more than a forest owned by feudal lords in constant rivalry with each other. The first mention of Viareggio dates back to 1169 when a wooden tower guarding the coast
2257-457: The city were destroyed. After the war, the reconstruction finally began, but the city's appearance had changed dramatically. Today Viareggio is still a renowned seaside resort and is widely famous for its carnival and shipbuilding industry. Late in the evening of June 29, 2009, a train carrying liquified petroleum gas derailed while approaching Viareggio's railway station. The ensuing explosion killed 32 people, injured many others, and destroyed
2318-477: The city. The current coat of arms consists of an anchor with a hawser placed on top of a white, red and green shield. Viareggio was one of the first municipalities to adopt the tricolore (later to become the official flag of the unified Italy) for its coat of arm; even before Italy was officially unified. During the 3rd century BC, the mountains of Versilia were slowly invaded by the Ligurian tribes who, coming from
2379-455: The future of Viareggio which, from that moment, became the focus of Lucca's efforts to turn the town into its centre for commercial activities, and, in addition to the square-plan tower erected in (1534) with the aim to protect the port, several settlements started appearing. The 17th century was perhaps one of the most difficult periods for the 300 inhabitants of Viareggio; the area was insalubrious, malaria and other deadly epidemic diseases made
2440-450: The height above sea level of the town hall. List of the first comuni by population in descending order, according to ISTAT data updated to 28 February 2022. The regional capitals are in bold. The data is updated as of 1 January 2021. The data is updated as of 1 January 2021. Castruccio Castracani Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli ( Italian: [kaˈstruttʃo kastraˈkaːni] ; 1281 – 3 September 1328)
2501-453: The highest temperature of the year being around 35 °C (95 °F). The primary sectors of Viareggio's economy are tourism, commerce and services, include fishing and floriculture (the flowers of Versilia ). The city also houses prolific shipyards . At the beginning of the 19th century, craftsmen from Viareggio built small fishing vessels along the banks of the Burlamacca canal. As
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2562-448: The lives of fishermen and farmers extremely difficult. Lucca, on the other hand, increased its efforts to drain the marshlands to improve quality of life and encouraged migration to the new town. Slowly Viareggio changed its appearance; two small churches and as many factories were built, followed by a number of small shops. Meanwhile its port became more active, while the cultivation of the drained fields started. In 1701 Viareggio became
2623-422: The local sovereigns. During these years Viareggio's economy saw a very rapid expansion through its already recognised beach tourism and the newly expanding sailboat industry. Its population increased from 300 in 1740 to 6,549 in 1841. The beginning of the 20th century saw again a marked development of the coast and tourism industry, which caused a drastic change to most of the beach. The Passeggiata or promenade
2684-671: The north, stretched their area of influence as far south as the river Arno . In 180 BC the Romans defeated the Ligurians and started colonising the Versilia (the areas known today as Massaciuccoli, Camaiore , Pietrasanta ). The most widely accepted theory recognises the city's name as deriving from the Latin Via Regis ("Kings' Road"), the name of the Medieval road linking the fortification built on
2745-512: The now ever-present papier mâché – used to build the floats featured during its parades – was first introduced in 1925. The official masks of the Carnival are Burlamacco and Ondina, drawn for the first time in 1930. Since 1954, RAI broadcasts the entire event on national TV. Since 2001, the craftsmen of the carnival have moved to the Cittadella del Carnevale or, literally, Carnival Town. The city
2806-467: The other events organized around the year, it is worth mentioning the Festival Gaber , which has been held every August since 2004 to celebrate the memory of Giorgio Gaber , and is attended by several high-profile Italian musicians. The current coat of arms was chosen in 1848 and replaces the previous one dating back to 1752, which showed an image of Saint Anthony from Padua , the first patron saint of
2867-599: The principles consolidated in medieval municipalities , the comune is provided for by article 114 of the Constitution of Italy . It can be divided into frazioni , which in turn may have limited power due to special elective assemblies. In the autonomous region of the Aosta Valley , a comune is officially called a commune in French. The comune provides essential public services: registry of births and deaths, registry of deeds , and maintenance of local roads and public works. Many comuni have
2928-475: The promenade known as "Passeggiata a mare", in the weeks of Carnival . The symbol of the carnival of Viareggio and its official mask is Burlamacco , designed and invented by Uberto Bonetti in 1930. The city traces its roots back to the first half of the 16th century when it became the only sea port for the Republic of Lucca . The oldest building in Viareggio, known as Torre Matilde , dates back to this time and
2989-584: The public beach is part of the Parco Naturale Regionale Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli. Viareggio borders the local municipalities of Camaiore , Massarosa and Vecchiano ) (PI). The municipal area comprises the Lake of Massaciuccoli and several canals, the most important ones of which are known as Burlamacca, Farabola, Fossa dell'Abate (bordering the municipality of Camaiore ), and Fosso Le Quindici. Viareggio has
3050-443: The running of schools, social services and waste collection; the delegated functions vary from comune to comune . These bodies are headed by an elected president and a local council. Smaller comuni usually comprise: Sometimes a frazione might be more populated than the capoluogo ; and rarely, owing to unusual circumstances (like depopulation), the town hall and its administrative functions can be moved to one of
3111-537: The southeast: the Libeccio and the Ponente, which batter the coast for two to three days in a row, cause severe storms. During winter months (Dec-Feb), high temperatures can vary between 14–15 °C (57–59 °F) and 4–5 °C (39–41 °F), while night time temperatures can reach below 0 °C (32 °F) on average 24 times a year. In the summer (Jun-Aug), temperatures peak around 31–33 °C (88–91 °F), with
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#17328560984803172-429: The title of città usually carry the golden crown above their coat of arms, except with different provisions in the decree approving the coat of arms or in the presence). "The crown of the city ([...]) is formed by a golden circle opened by eight city gates (five visible) with two cordoned walls on the margins, supporting eight towers (five visible) joined by curtain walls, all in gold and black walled." The following
3233-427: The word is occasionally found: the comune of Leonessa , for example, is divided into sesti or sixths. There are not many perfect homonymous comuni . There are only six cases in 12 comuni : This is mostly due to the fact the name of the province or region was appended to the name of the comune in order to avoid the confusion. Two provincial capitals share the name Reggio : Reggio nell'Emilia ,
3294-522: Was afterwards excommunicated by the papal legate in the interests of the Guelphs (1327). At his death in 1328, the fortunes of his young children were wrecked in the Guelph triumph. Niccolò Machiavelli wrote a Life of Castruccio Castracani . It is understood to be fictional in many places, and based upon classical aphorisms. It was made later in his life than some of Machiavelli's more well-known works and
3355-479: Was also affected by the pestilence which, recounted by Giovanni Boccaccio in his masterpiece the Decameron , spread throughout the whole of Italy. In these years Florence expanded its control over Tuscany . Lucca, however, managed to maintain its independence in exchange for hefty financial penalties. On September 10, 1513, Pope Leo X removed the port of Motrone from the control of Lucca. This directly affected
3416-605: Was an Italian condottiero and duke of Lucca . Castruccio was born in Lucca , a member of the noble family of Antelminelli , of the Ghibelline party. In 1300 he was exiled with his parents and others of their faction by the Guelphs "Black" party, then in the ascendant. At nineteen he became orphaned and subsequently served as a condottiero under Philip IV of France in Flanders , then with
3477-516: Was assigned the new Duchy of Lucca . The years to come would wipe out any good action that had been taken during the Napoleonic rule, although the new ruler would contribute to the town's expansion by building its first marina (seaside). In 1820 Viareggio obtained the status of city. Following the death of his mother (March 13, 1824), Charles Louis of Parma took over the government of Lucca and greatly contributed to Viareggio's expansion, by building
3538-464: Was born, with its cafés and shops, contributing to turning the city into the "Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea." Wood was very widely used in most buildings, and in 1917, a large portion of the city was lost in fire in only one night. It was only during the fascist era that wood would finally be replaced by other materials. During World War II Viareggio was subject to heavy bombings and entire suburbs of
3599-501: Was built by the Lucchesi in 1541 as a defensive fortification to fight the constant menace of corsair incursions. Viareggio is also an active industrial and manufacturing centre; its shipbuilding industry has long been renowned around the world and its fishing and floricultural industries are still fundamental sectors to the city's economy. Viareggio hosts the Premio letterario Viareggio Répaci for literature, established in 1929. Amongst
3660-403: Was built. A little over two years later, in (1172) a military building named Turris de Via Regia was erected, taking its name from the road that linked it to Lucca (known today as via Montramito). In the following years the area around Viareggio, was involved in the hostilities between Pisa and Lucca, in their attempt to gain control over the coastal area. The conflict was spurred by the desire of
3721-408: Was on its banks that the first maritime activities developed. In 1740, Bernardino Zendrini had a water-gate built in order to prevent the sea water from reaching lake Massaciuccoli. In 1820 Maria Luisa , duchess of Lucca , had the first marina of Viareggio built. It was completed in 1823 and took the name of Marina of Lucca. Between 1871 and 1873 the so-called Marina of Tuscany was built, followed by
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