Lake Massaciuccoli surface area is 6.9 km². It is located mainly in the municipality of Massarosa and partly in Torre del Lago, a civil parish of Viareggio. It is one of the largest remaining fragments of the large swamps and marshes that once covered entirely the coastal plain of Versilia. The lake was known in ancient times as the Fossis Papirianis, a name used in the Tabula Peutingeriana. The composer Giacomo Puccini lived nearby and frequently hunted around the lake; the nearby village of Torre del Lago is sometimes mentioned with suffix “Puccini” in his honour.

The lake is home to the large extent of Cladium mariscus in Italy. However, vegetation and wildlife have shrunken substantially since the 20th century, due to eutrophication and expansion of Louisianan Crayfish, which are now disappearing from the lake because of predatory birds.

Considering also the mild climate, the beauty of the landscape with the close green mountains, the lake district with 260 different species of birds and the sea in the distance, it is not difficult to understand the reason why a roman family decided to build its holidays residence here.
View of the mountains from the lake

At the archaeological site of Massaciuccoli Romana you can admire the rest of a roman villa, the rest of a building with a fabulous mosaic and the job of the archaeologists in the dig. I discovered this site only few months ago and it surprised me: it’s small but nice with many events organized by the people of the archaelogical group.
The attractions of the archaeological site of Massaciuccoli Romana
Venulei Villa Massaciuccoli Romana

The Venulei Villa

The Venulei were one of the most important and rich family of Pisa. They made their economic fortune owning and managing several Furnaces to produce bricks. Moreover, they decided to build in Massaciuccoli, in the first century, their magnificent holiday residence where to laze and rest.
View of the lake from the villa

The Villa was built on the top of the hill overlooking the lake. From the terrace of the church of San Lorenzo, you can admire the rest of the thermarium and other areas of relax and feasting on the terrace below. Unfortunately, we cannot see rests of the residence because the church was built over them.
the mosaic Massaciuccoli Romana

The building with the mosaic.

At the feet of the hills, there is the building with the mosaic. Previously it was considered as a villa, but then it has been considered as lodging house with a small thermal bath and several resting rooms facing the interior gardens.

Here there is the restored mosaic in white and black tiles representing fantasy creatures and several finds and marble sculptures found in the archaeological site.

The archaeological dig.

Ten new rooms were revealed after a deep excavation. The entrance under a brand new huge structure is free and you have the chance to see the archaeologists at work.

We offer within the grounds of the agriturismo an equestrian programme for adults and children. At the next door farm, La Costanza, there are opportunities to organise many different kinds of events.Cooking classes are available for small to large groups, directly managed by Sandra Lotti. Transform your vacation into an unforgettable experience of taste, flavours and Tuscan cuisine.