| Camaiore | |
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| — Comune — | |
| Comune di Camaiore | |
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Camaiore
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Lucca (LU) |
| Frazioni | Capezzano Pianore, Casoli, Fibbialla, Fibbiano Montanino, Gombitelli, Greppolungo, La Culla, Lido di Camaiore, Lombrici, Marignana, Metato, Migliano, Montebello, Monteggiori, Montemagno, Nocchi, Orbicciano, Pedona, Pieve di Camaiore, Pontemazzori, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria Albiano, Secco, Torcigliano, Vado, Valpromaro |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Giampaolo Bertola (since June 2002) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 84.59 km2 (32.7 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 34 m (112 ft) |
| Population (30 July 2008) | |
| • Total | 31,764 |
| • Density | 375.5/km2 (972.6/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Camaioresi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 55041, 55043, 55068, 55040 |
| Dialing code | 0584 |
| Patron saint | St. Bernardino |
| Saint day | June 1 |
| Website | Official website |
Camaiore is a town and comune of 31,503 inhabitants within the province of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. It stretches from the Alps to the east, to the plains and the coast of Versilia to the west.
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Camaiore is the largest municipality in relation to the whole of Versilia and its territory has many characteristic environments. It extends from the beach in Lido di Camaiore, to the peaks of the Alps like Monte Prana, Mount Matanna and Mount Gabberi, passing through both high and low hills. The plains of caezzanese are also important, as they are known for the cultivation of flowers and the general growth of foliage, in addition to the lido’s promenade, there are also rolling hills with small crops of vitis and olives. From the hydrographical point of view, Camaiore is rich in water, especially ground water, which is continuously extracted for private use including; greenhouses and some adjacent municipalities for the provision of local reservoir replenishment. In the summer of 2007 strong earthquakes were felt that, according to some experts, where due to the excessive pumping of groundwater. Fears are hightened even more if you go back to the phenomenon of the chasms that, in the mid-nineties, caused extensive damage following the collapse of some houses. Small rivers can be found throughout the area, which are fed by drainage water from the mountains, Amongst one of the more important rivers is the Lombricese that runs at the foot of Mount Gabberi, touching the nearby towns of Lombrici and joins another river, the Lucese, which comes down from the pass of the same name, arriving in the valley through Nocchi Marignana (Camaiore) areas and the lower part of Pieve di Camaiore up to Camaiore. From here onwards, it joins with the Lombricese to form the Camaiore river down to its mouth which is also called Fosso dell'Abate. Throughout the territory there are small ponds or lakes of small size fed from various sources. The coast of Lido di Camaiore is bathed by the Ligurian sea, which extends from Liguria to the promontory of Piombino and not the Tyrrhenian Sea as mistakenly believed.
Camaiore has strict Roman origins, which was one of the largest encampments contiguous to the city of Lucca and an important station along the Via Cassia. From this we find the origins of the name "Campus Maior" (Campo Maggiore).
In the Middle Ages, the town grew considerably thanks to the old Francigena, which follows northwest from Lucca, towards the Lunigiana and Passo della Cisa, and on to 'Campo Maggiore’. The city represented the Twenty-seventh stage during the journey of Sigerico Canterbury, and was called Campmaior by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In 1226, the Luccans destroyed the remote hill fortress of Montecastrese, situated above Camaiore on the slopes of Mount Prana, and the survivors of this battle migrated down to the valley in Camaiore as it offered more protection against future city-state attacks.[1]
Born, raised and still residing in Camaiore, is the Under 23 Road Cycling champion, Francesco Chicchi, who is currently racing for the professional team of Liquigas.
Lido di Camaiore, has been repeatedly a stage finish of the Tour of Italy
Camaiore is twinned with the following towns: