LIDO DI CAMAIORE

Historic outline
The first historic information dates from the beginning of this millenium when the territory called Lido di Camaiore (then, "Litus Maris") with the rest of Versilia, was the stage of long and bloody battles between Pisa and Lucca. Although marine lands were unpopulated and marshy, they were very much in demand due to their huge fish reserves intercommunicating with the sea. A contract dating back to the 3rd of November 1317 has been found, with which the City of Camaiore rented part of the marine land to Nicola Cardini for 13 florins per year. Land reclaimation, already attempted in roman epoch, started in the 1700's and only at the end of the 1800's did people begin to settle the area.

Beginning of the 1900's
At the beginning of the century the council of Camaiore constructed the Via del Fortino and Viale Colombo; the first hotels and bathing establishments were opened. The place became exclusive: the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio spent long holidays here together with the famous actress, Eleonora Duse in a villa owned by Armanda Consigli, where, on the 4th September 1901 he finished his well-known play "Francesca da Rimini". Soon afterwards senator Vittorio Rolandi-Ricci bought the Consigli estate (today's Hotel Ariston) and entertained guests like King Victor Emanuel 3rd, Giacomo Puccini, Guglielmo Marconi, Benito Mussolini. Lido di Camaiore became more and more fashionable among artists who chose it either for their holidays or as their definitive residence.

The playwright Pier Maria Rosso di San Secondo lived here: in his house still lives his wife, Inge, careful keeper of his original and intensive literary work - according to many critics - not inferior to Luigi Pirandello's. The famous painter Galileo Chini who, on his return from Siam had buildt himself a Villa in Lido di Camaiore on the via del Fortino (today's Hotel Club I Pini which is the seat of a very interesting museum dedicated to the artist), inspired Liberty, the new trend in taste which, from the end of the war until the 1930's, successfully transformed the architectonic and artistic face of Versilia.

Seaside and tourist accomodation
Lido di Camaiore is a a modern seaside resort with such characteristics that it ranks among one of the major tourist centres. Its vast sandy beach - 4 Km. - lies beween Marina di Pietrasanta and Viareggio and slopes gently into the sea; it is easily reached: all you have to do is cross a wonderbul and scenic besch promenade, rich with gardens and fiower beds, along which run colourful bathing establishments, small shops, cafés and restaurants. In the avenue (Viale Pistelli) parallel to the promenade is a cycling track. Lido di Camaiore is a particularly attractive resort with numerous villas set amidst delighthul gardens, wide streets, squares and public parks. The place boasts a wide range of tourist accommodation: the hotels (some of which are open all the year round) offer visitors all modern facilities.