Metato
An Enchanted Village on the Slopes of the Apuan Alps: Welcome to Metato!
Located in the municipality of Camaiore, in the province of Lucca, Metato is situated on the slopes of Mount Prana and offers an incredible view of the plain of Camaiore and the plain of Capezzano Pianore which ends with Lido di Camaiore and the sea. In this article, we will take you on a journey to discover this enchanted village and its natural and cultural heritage.
The Place of Ancient Archaeology: Buca del Tasso
Metato is also famous for Buca del Tasso, an important archaeological site that has yielded part of the skull of a Neanderthal man who disappeared about 40,000 years ago, as well as stone tools and animal bones. The archaeological campaigns were conducted between 1914 and 1922 by the Committee for the Research of Human Paleontology or Paleoanthropology of Florence. In the village, you will also find the remains of a castle or fortified village built in the 12th century.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Quotes of Bruno Moriconi
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta, dating back to the 18th century, is one of the main religious monuments in the village, with its bell tower and fountain. Next to the church, on the small square, stands a marble slab on which some verses of the local poet Bruno Moriconi have been carved, describing the characteristics of the village of Metato. The word "pécchia," for example, means "bee" and "chestnut husk" and is used to indicate the red color of the roofs of the village, but also recalls the origin of the name "metato," that is, the chestnut dryer.
The Economy of Metato
The main resources of Metato were derived from olives and chestnuts, from which the inhabitants had the opportunity to earn some income or to exchange them with other typical products of the flat areas. Unfortunately, today, the cultivation of the land has been abandoned, but the village is regaining interest also thanks to foreign tourists, some of whom have bought and restored some of the houses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Metato is an enchanted place with an ancient charm, where nature and culture coexist among picturesque cobbled streets and stone walls. The antiquity of the archaeological site, the beauty of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and the local economy based on the cultivation of chestnuts and olives make Metato an invaluable heritage of Tuscany, to be absolutely discovered.
