Stage 11
Porcari (Paper District) > Chiavari
From Tuscany to Liguria, in a stage that could ignite the imagination of the boldest riders
Porcari
From Tuscany to Liguria, in a stage that could ignite the imagination of the boldest riders - those ready to take advantage of the rolling profile of the final hundred kilometers of stage 11 of the Giro.
The start in Porcari, in the heart of the Lucca plain, is rather relaxed. This is the core of the paper district, one of Europe’s most important hubs for the production of tissue paper and cardboard. The Giro may offer even non-specialists the chance to discover a sector that is both significant and full of interesting details.
Shortly after the start, the peloton skirts the city of Lucca, which is well worth a detour: its extraordinary Renaissance walls can be fully cycled and offer sweeping views over one of Tuscany’s most remarkable historic centers. After passing Montemagno, home to a moving monument dedicated to Italian folk singer Giorgio Gaber, who spent his final years here, the route descends to Camaiore, once an important stop for pilgrims traveling along the Via Francigena. Witnesses of that time include the Abbey of San Pietro (7th century), the Pieve of Santo Stefano and San Giovanni Battista (12th century, built on the remains of an earlier church), and the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, consecrated in 1278.
Next comes Pietrasanta, a town of art and artists. Its reputation is tied to the nearby marble quarries, which for centuries have attracted sculptors - many of whom settled here, opening studios and workshops. A walk through the town center reveals works such as Botero’s Warrior, Mitoraj’s Centaur and Annunciation. Piazza del Duomo is an essential stop, dominated by the imposing Collegiate Church of San Martino (13th century).
Chiavari
Carrara, a UNESCO Creative City, emphasizes its deep connection to marble and its quarries with the façade of the magnificent Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, entirely clad in fine Apuan marble. In Sarzana, two fortresses capture the eye: the Firmafede Fortress, commissioned by Lorenzo the Magnificent, and the more defensive Sarzanello Fortress.
The route then reaches La Spezia, where the Naval Technical Museum - Italy’s largest of its kind - traces the history of navigation from its origins to the present day. Here begins the undulating finale of the stage, with a continuous sequence of climbs inland and passages through well-equipped coastal towns such as Levanto, Sestri Levante, and Lavagna, before reaching the finish in Chiavari.
Before taking a dip in the waters of the Tigullio Gulf, visitors discover that Chiavari is much more than a major seaside resort. Among its highlights are Palazzo Rocca, a noble residence with a botanical park; the Cathedral of Nostra Signora dell’Orto, the city’s religious heart; the medieval Palazzo dei Portici Neri; and the Sanctuary of Nostra Signora delle Grazie, set along the coast and enriched with Renaissance frescoes.
