The town of Piazza al Serchio is set in one of the connections between Garfagnana, Emilia and Lunigiana. It is in the province of Lucca at 536 m. of altitude and it has a population of about 2,500 inhabitants. It is characterized by being divided into numerous little villages and it is rich in architectural monuments with a remarkably historical and artistic importance.

The ancient military garrison of Castelvecchio (XII century) and Borgo Sala, corresponding to the Lombard settlement of the origins, can be admired near the chief town. Inside Piazza al Serchio, moreover, the bridge and the medieval village of San Michele, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta a Borsigliana and the church of San Biagio a Petrognano dating to before the year 1000, can be visited in the town.
The territory of Piazza al Serchio, that was originally called Pieve di Castelvecchio, had probably been inhabited since the pre-Roman period, even though according to some archaeological finds, its development had taken place only since the age of the Lombards.
Since the early Middle Ages, this town experienced a phase of massive economic growth and population increase, since it benefited from its geographical position near numerous rivers and the ways that linked many areas between Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia.
The Bishopric of Lucca established its power on the town and on the surrounding area and it was the upright ruler of Pieve di Castelvecchio until the XVIII century. Two new authorities substituted it in the XVIII century.
As for it judiciary arrangement, Piazza al Serchio entered the Dukedom of Modena governed by the Estensi. Instead, as far as its religious administration is concerned, the territory entered the dioceses of Luni.
In 1863, the town that had already been annexed to the Kingdom of Italy, assumed its current name of "Piazza" because of the piazza where the ancient market was held in the open air near the current station. Later, also the name of the Serchio river was added. Recent excavations carried out in the town have unearthed the remains of the XIII-century bell belonging to the legendary parish that, according to some historians, had controlled more than thirty churches of the Garfagnana.