Turislucca

The Gothic Line at Borgo a Mozzano

Between 1943 and the summer of 1944, the commanders of the German forces decided to construct a formidable defensive line from the Adriatic Sea to the Tyrrhenian Sea (Rimini – Viareggio, 320 km), as a last stronghold against the invasion of Northern Italy, known as the Gothic Line.

The German Todt Organization was in charge of the construction and, in approximately a year with the labor of thousands of men, imposing fortifications were built.

In the MediaValle area of the Serchio River, at Borgo a Mozzano, bunkers, anti-aircraft emplacements, communication trenches, and antitank ditches are still well-preserved. This site (recently opened) is the only one of the entire Gothic Line to have remained intact and therefore, is of substantial historic importance.

Borgo a Mozzano is also known for its “Ponte del Diavolo (The Devil’s Bridge)”, the extraordinary and legendary medieval bridge built in the 11th century that dominates the Serchio River.

With our local specialized guide, you will visit some of the bunkers and also walk across the Devil’s Bridge. If you have an entire day at your disposal, after a light lunch at one of the farmhouses in the area, you can visit the village of Borgo a Mozzano and the Church of San Jacopo that houses Andrea della Robbia’s beautiful statue of Mary Magdalene.

Details

  • Available: daily
  • Duration: 3 hours for the half-day which can be extended to 6 hours for the full-day (cost upon request)
  • When: for the half-day, morning or afternoon at your convenience
  • Meeting point: the tour can begin wherever is more convenient for you. You can meet the guide in Lucca or at the train station in Borgo a Mozzano. At an additional cost, the guide can meet you elsewhere.

Price

PAYMENT AT THE TIME OF BOOKING

  • Tour cost with a local specialized guide to be met in Borgo a Mozzano for 1 – 10 people: € 160.00
  • Tour cost with a local specialized guide to be met in Lucca for 1 – 10 people: € 150.00
Proceed with booking by selecting one of the following:

ON-THE-SPOT PAYMENT

  • Entrance fees: € 10.00 per person
  • Optional cost of a light lunch at a farmhouse: € 25.00 per person

Note

  • This is a walking tour of minimum difficulty, please wear comfortable shoes. For this excursion, you must provide your own transportation. You can use your own vehicle or a rental. Should you not have transportation, we would be happy to arrange it for you.
    For an even more in-depth tour regarding World War II in Lucca and its territory, the following can be added (cost upon request):
    - Barga and Sommocolonia: visit the places and villages of the battle of Santo Stefano of 1944
    - Lucca town: visit the places of captivity and of the Resistance of Lucca