Viareggio is a Tuscan city and its foundation dates back to 1172 when Lucca and Genova, allied against Pisa, built a famous fortress. In the 15th century, being the only access to the sea for Lucca, Viareggio increased its power enormously, consolidating it around 1480. Similarly to Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio was a marshland and land reclamation ended in 1741, thus becoming one of the greatest centers of Tuscany. The evolution of the town from a simple harbour to a city however was not easy. In 1819, the duchess Maria Luisa of Borbone ordered the building of the first dock and only years later the center was elevated to the rank of city. Only the year 1822 marked a turning point for Viareggio which become a famous bathing resort, owing to Paolina Borghese, sister of Napoleon Bonaparte, who chose the city as her permanent holiday residence. Viareggio acquired the characteristics of famous seaside resorts, with the building of the first bathing establishment in 1828. The tourist vocation of the town is closely related to art, witnessed by the Civic Museums of Villa Paolina, as well as the splendid Art-decò and Liberty buildings found here. With the exception of the Tower Matilde, the outcome of its economic development is expressed in buildings such as the store Duilio 48, the Bagno Balena, the Villa Argentina and the hotel Excelsior with their splendid curvilinear façades and ceramic mosaics.
Viareggio
