Village of the Camellias

The Village of Camellias: A Journey Through History, Mystery, and Nature

There are places where time seems to have stood still, where every stone, every corner tells an ancient story. The Village of Camellias, which unites Pieve and Sant’Andrea di Compito, is one of these. During the weekends of the Ancient Camellias Exhibition of Lucchesia, this corner of Tuscany is adorned with colors and scents, inviting visitors to lose themselves in its wonders.

A Timeless Atmosphere
Strolling on foot through the alleys of this village is an unmissable experience. The small enclosed courtyards, ancient doorways, and stone walls whisper tales from a distant past. The secondary lanes, where traffic is forbidden, wind between houses and small gardens, creating timelessly charming views. Here, every detail becomes a discovery.

The Mystery of the Tower
Rising among terraces of olive trees, a solitary tower stands silhouetted against the sky. Its past is shrouded in mystery. It is said that, in darker times, a wrought iron basket protruded from its top, intended to display the heads of the condemned. But the legend doesn’t end there: many believe the tower was actually an ancient signaling post, commissioned by the fearsome Castruccio Castracani, the 14th-century lord of Lucca. From here, fire messages were sent to the valley and the city, witnesses of an era of battles and secret strategies.

Between Faith and Beauty: The Church and the Centuries-Old Camellias
Perched on a rocky spur stands the Church of Sant’Andrea di Compito, solemn in its simplicity. At its feet, a hedge of ancient camellias gracefully surrounds a plantation of Camellia sinensis, the tea plant. Here, Guido Cattolica brought to life an ambitious experiment: a tea plantation that has, over time, earned international recognition, making Sant’Andrea a unique place in Italy.

Hidden Villas and the Realm of Camellias
Not everything in the village is rustic. Behind high cracked walls lie ancient noble villas, each with a story to tell. Villa Borrini, Villa Giovannetti, Villa Orsi, Villa Torregrossa, and Villa Di Vecchio guard a common treasure: their centuries-old camellia trees, witnesses to timeless elegance.

The Camellia Garden: A Paradise of Colors
Just a little further, on the road leading to Monte Serra, is the Camellia Garden—a natural park hosting about 1,000 different varieties of camellias. A place born from the desire to protect and enhance this extraordinary plant, offering visitors the chance to discover its history, botany, and propagation techniques. Here, beauty meets knowledge, turning a visit into an unforgettable experience.

Discovering the Village of Camellias means immersing yourself in a journey through nature, history, and mystery, where every corner tells a legend and every flower reveals a secret. Are you ready to be enchanted?