The southern door of Ceserana faces in direction of Lucca. The relationship with Lucca has had many a different facets. At times of contention, as in the estense period, in others of alliance and collaboration. Ceserana, probably due to its position as sentry on the Serthio river, or for its peoples ability, it has carved itself a key role in the story of the valley. In the XIIth century it was one of the few free Municipalities in the Valley, both with Barga, Ghivizzano, Castiglione Garfagnana, Pieve Fosciana. Then in time it underwent different dominions (Pisa, Lucca, Florence, the Este) but has always enjoyed a certain amount of independence and has usually dealt with the “forces” of the time, regularly obtaining favors for its people. Such ability has even had a juridical importance, as Ceserana has been one of the first Municipalities in Garfagnana to adopt a statute; in 1420 under the Lucca rule of the Guinigi, a series of Capitols were approved, later considered by historians as small masterpieces of legal knowledge, that ruled every social aspect of the Community (political, rural, religious). These statutes were various times updated and modified during the Este period.
In this part of the village one can find the Marcucci villa, an important family of Ceserana's history, which has given birth to a number of favorably distinguished figures. A thanksgiving is due to two members of the Marcucci family, Enrico and Luigi, both deceased a few years ago, that have always worked for the rediscovery and development of Ceserana's history.
