Montuolo: Pieve, Frescoes and Cycling Tour

Montuolo is a suitable destination for travelers looking to combine their stay with local history and religious art. The Pieve di San Giovanni Battista is a clear focal point: its dedication, architectural style and furnishings tell different chapters of its history. Frescoes add to this cultural and historical perspective. The town’s former name, Flexo, and an easy cycling tour through Montuolo also offer a connection to the history of the landscape and a specific activity.

The history of the Pieve

The Pieve dates back to the 8th century. It was originally dedicated to San Martino; its dedication changed in the 10th century. The name Montuolo does not appear until the year 1000. This makes it possible to distinguish chronologically between the age of the church, the change in its dedication and the history of the place name. The church and the place name each have their own distinct points in time.

The architectural changes also have clear dates. The monochrome Neoclassical decoration bears the year 1825. The Pieve was raised in 1829 and extended in 1860. In the course of these changes, it was transformed from a basilica into a building with a Latin cross floor plan. The date of the decoration and the two later interventions therefore represent different phases. The Latin cross floor plan describes the later form of the building, while basilica refers to its earlier form.

Frescoes and art history

Traces of frescoes from the first half of the 16th century, attributed to the circle of Zacchia il Vecchio’s workshop, survive on the walls. One fresco depicts the Trinity with Santo Stefano and San Giuseppe and dates from the 16th century. Another shows San Giovanni Battista baptizing Jesus; it may date from the 14th century. In chronological terms, the baptism scene would therefore be the older depiction, but its early dating is a possibility, not a certainty.

The former name Flexo

Historically, Montuolo was a small village of farmers and fishermen. The place was formerly known as Flexo; this name comes from a bend in the Ozzeri Canal. The Ozzeri is an old branch of the Serchio River. The former name connects the town’s history to a specific feature of its waterside landscape, while the historical description of it as a village captures its character at the time through agriculture and fishing.

A cycling tour through Montuolo

An easy cycling tour of about 30 km offers another way to experience Montuolo. It starts at Piazza Verdi in Lucca and passes through Montuolo, Ripafratta, Molina di Quosa and San Giuliano Terme. Montuolo is a stop along the route, not its starting point. The tour can be booked at least 15 days in advance and for a minimum of 10 people. If you include it in your plans, take the advance notice and minimum group size into account. Check the route details before planning, as they may change.

Discover more destinations: Monsagrati, San Concordio Di Moriano, Balbano, Chiatri, San Lorenzo A Vaccoli, San Pietro A Vico, Santa Maria Del Giudice, Ciciana.

Go to the main travel overview: Lucca.