The place first arose from several smaller settlements (
Borghi) before the
Castrum Novum Castle was built in the Locality of Lecci above today's town center, which is called
Borghetto. Another fortified complex was built from the Borghetto, parts of which are still in place, along with a city gate. At that time the town belonged as a fief to the Lambercioni family from Vorno (today also a hamlet of Capannori), close to the Republic of
Pisa. In a conflict between Lucca and Pisa, the town was occupied and destroyed by Lucca in 1148. After the reconstruction by the Lambercioni, the hamlet remained in the sphere of influence of Lucca until, in 1313, it was ransacked by
Uguccione della Faggiola, who was in the pay of Pisa. Colle di Compito was last damaged in 1544 by Pisan and Florentine troops. After that, the place remained in the sphere of influence of Lucca. and it was usually referred to as PG 60 Lucca. Although it never had permanent structures and accommodation consisted of tents in an area prone to flooding, it housed more than 3,000 British and
Commonwealth prisoners of war during the period of its existence. It was handed over to the Germans on 10 September 1943, not long after the signing of the
Italian armistice. During the
Italian Social Republic, as a
puppet state of the Germans,
political prisoners, foreigners,
common law prisoners and
Jews were interned there, and it functioned as a
concentration camp. In June 1944 the prisoners were moved to
Bagni di Lucca. == Sights ==