Toscocountry®

The small town of Lari is situated where three ridges of the highest Pisan hills meet and has been inhabited since Etruscan times. The massive Castle is built in the centre of the town; it was recorded in the early Middle Ages although the building we see today dates to the first half of the 17th century. Due to its dominant position of the entire valley of the River Arno (from the Castle walls the view stretches from the Pisan hills to the steep hills of Volterra, from the coast of Leghorn to Peccioli and beyond) the Castle was an important military stronghold of the Pisan Republic until it was conquered by Florence in October 1406.The Castle is defended by an exterior surrounding wall with three gates: `Porta Fiorentina´, `Pisana´ and `Volterrana´. The latter was the main road leading into the town and had a drawbridge, later removed in 1798. Mention must be made of the provost church of `S. Leonardo e S. Maria Assunta´ (St. Leonard and St. Mary of the Assumption) which dates back to the 15th century, with paintings by Melani and two marble statues attributed to Andrea Pisano, as well as the market arcade whose original plans date to the end of the 16th century while its present appearance dates to the mid 19th century when an earthquake caused serious damage to the building. Lari merits a leisurely stroll to gradually discover the myriad of charms hidden in its streets that meander away from the town across the surrounding countryside.