Altopascio

Altopascio is an Italian commune in the province of Lucca with 15,188 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012). The municipality covers an area of ​​28 km ². This corresponds to a population density of 398 inhabitants / km ².

Geography

Altopacsio situated at an altitude of 19 m above sea level in the plain of Lucca about 25 km west of the provincial capital.

Borders the following municipalities: Bien Tina ( PI), Capannori, Castelfranco di Sotto ( PI), Chiesina Uzzanese ( PT), Fucecchio ( FI), Monte Carlo and Porcari.

Traffic

The village lies on the Autostrada A11 ( Autostrada Firenze- Mare) and the railway line Florence - Viareggio.

History

Altopascio possessed in the Middle Ages a famous hospital, on the pilgrim road Via Francigena, which happened a difficult to traversal wetland there. It should have been a later founded, according to tradition in 1070 by Matilda of Tuscany and had extensive land holdings. It provided accommodation and meals for the pilgrims and granted guidance and protection in the dangerous section of path. The hospital was associated with the Order of Knights of St. Jakob Altopascio, which was named after the cross on their clothing, tau knight. The Brotherhood, which ran the hospital, was in Rome, the predecessor of the present church Sant 'Eligio de' Ferrai. In the late Middle Ages, the Hospital lost its importance by draining the swamps and political disputes. In 1773 it was closed. Get the San Jacopo Maggiore church and remains of medieval fortifications.

Twinning

Altopascio is connected by twinning with El Perello Catalonia (Spain) and Saint- Gilles in Gard (France).