Looted and set on fire Vivinaia (1331) by Florentine army in retreat after the unsuccessful siege of Lucca, the inhabitants of that town, grew up around the ancient villa (eleventh century) of the Marquis of Tuscany and Countess Matilda, sought refuge on the top of the hill montecarlese at the fortress of Cerruglio, where a few years earlier (1328) eight hundred lances rebels had barricaded the Emperor Louis of Bavaria
At the beginning of the Via Roma, Piazza between the Fortress and the Church, is one of the largest buildings in Monaco
Montecarlo: fortified medieval village dominating the plain of Lucca.
Set on an isolated hill at 162 above sea level. in the province of Lucca, Montecarlo is located almost halfway between Lucca and Montecatini Terme amd between Florence and Pisa