Holiday apartment in Crasciana: village history, trails and the Apennines

Crasciana combines village history, trails and nature with a clearly recognisable local character. The settlement has a fan-shaped urban structure, while the panorama is framed by the Apennine range. Churches, traces of former fortifications and a network of trails where nature, history and local traditions meet give the area several possible holiday highlights. If you choose a holiday apartment in Crasciana, you can therefore balance local history, nature and active pursuits.

Holiday apartment in Crasciana among churches and local history

The parish church of S. Iacopo e S. Frediano stands in the highest part of Crasciana. It is first documented in the assessment register of the Diocese of Lucca from 1387. In 1748, it was enlarged with a third nave and a flat-ended apse. At the highest point of Crasciana there is also a 17th-century bell tower with Ghibelline merlons.

Today’s Oratorio di San Frediano al Santo alla Villa was the former parish church of Crasciana. In the 1260 assessment register of the churches of Lucca, it is listed as the only place of worship in Crasciana. The Santo alla Villa church has an unplastered gabled façade made of exposed stone, a stone-framed portal and a lunette made of sandstone blocks. Its longitudinal layout comprises three naves and a semicircular apse.

Traces of fortifications and secluded location

A castle was built in Crasciana around the 10th century to defend the village and its lands. A gate from the former fortifications survives next to the church; two loopholes are located on its right-hand side. Thus, religious architecture and the history of defence are among the different historical themes that shape Crasciana.

The Santo alla Villa church lies 500 metres south of Crasciana in a secluded location. CAI Trail No. 250 follows the road towards Casabasciana and Crasciana for a few hundred metres before climbing through a beech forest. Along the network of trails, nature, history and local traditions come together in the surrounding area.

Local festivals throughout the year

Crasciana’s patronal feast is celebrated every year on 25 July; a torchlight procession takes place on the eve. The Festa della Madonna della Consolazione is a three-day celebration held every three years. It was celebrated from 22 August to 24 August. Crasciana therefore offers both an annual festive date and a rarer three-day occasion closely connected with the local religious tradition.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Crasciana, you can tailor your travel pace to these highlights: architectural history and village structure, nature trails and woodland, or the village festivals. The different themes also make the stay interesting for travel groups whose interests range from quiet discoveries to active days.

Discover more places

For further orientation, you can then compare Fornoli, Longoio-Mobbiano, Pieve Di Monti Di Villa, Lugliano, Lucchio, Montefegatesi, Granaiola and Casabasciana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Bagni Di Lucca.