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Luni is located at the border between
Liguria
and Tuscany, on the bank
of the river Magra. Today, there are only ruins left of this ancient
Italian town. The area was inhabited since the Paleolithic, but the
town was funded at the beginning of the II century B.C. and was
famous during the roman era for its port, from which ships left
loaded with the marble from the
Apuan Alps. Luni
experienced a period of prosperity during the late Middle Ages
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under the leadership of the Bishop-Counts priors, especially during
the X century. Malaria and above all after the following burial of
the port, brought the end of Luni. In 1058, the entire population
was transferred to Sarzana. The archeological excavations, which
have intensified over the last few years, have allowed to clarify
the main urban phases of the town, which has a clear military (castrense)
layout
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with the via Aurelia as decumanus maximus and cardo maximus which
connected the forum to the port area. There were public and
religious buildings on the forum such as the Capitolium. There
remain large fragments of its architectural decoration in terracotta
and parts of its frontal sculptures of neoattica manufacture (II
century B.C.). The amphitheatre can be dated from the age of the
Antonini. The crypt of San Marco (VIII-IX centuries), the campanile
and the apsidal part of the San Marco Cathedral have survived from
their medieval period.
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We recommend a visit to the archeological museum built in 1964 which
is located at the centre of the ancient town of Luni, in the
archeological area. It holds pieces that have been discovered during
the excavations of the ancient Roman town. The fragments of bronze
and marble sculptures, funeral altars, vowing altars, remains of
decorative items and objects in terracotta are of great interest.
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The Coast