Lunigiana is the territory northern the province of Massa Carrara that corresponds to the valley of Magra River, surrounded by the Apennines Tosco-Emiliano, Apuan Alps and Sea of Liguria.

Lunigiana is named after the ancient city of Luni, founded by Romans in the II century BC.
In this area the traces of Italian and European history are still present everywhere and they refer to different periods starting from the Pre-historical Era, through the Middle Age, up to the Modern Age.

Thus, several castles, Romanesque parish churches and burghs are spread all over the territory, testifying the different people who settled here over the years: Liguri-Apuani, Romans, Byzantines, Longobards up to the Malaspina Dynasty which left during the feudal period an important imprint.

Lunigiana is also a relevant stop over the Via Francigena which connected Canterbury to Rome representing (since the II century) the main route walked by thousands of pilgrims travelling to Rome and to the holy sites, as well as by military forces, tradesmen and artists who contributed to the meeting of different cultures and lifestyles.

Museo Etnografico della Lunigiana: a must for all those interested in the popular culture of Lunigiana.

The museum is situated in a complex of different historical buildings and ancient mills of Villafranca.

It is divided into 13 sections containing objects of everyday life, work instruments and artisan works which illustrate the basic trade and agricultural activities as well as lifestyles and traditions of the rural communities of this area.

In the evening, you can have a walk at the Mercatino Medievale that takes place every year for 6 days in August in the burgh of Filetto.

Visitors have the opportunity to experience a fairy atmosphere where people and places are as they really were in a market in the Middle Age. In the ancient workshops, artisans and artists show their abilities with wood, stone, fabric, ceramic etc.

Furthermore, performances of “sbandieratori”, fire-eaters and much more take place.

Finally, you have the possibility to taste the ancient flavours of the local tradition.

Museo delle Statue Stele: situated in the Castle of Piagnaro in Pontremoli, it gathers all the stele statues of Lunigiana in original or in copy.

Stele statues are anthropomorphic statues representing both males and females, made of arenaria stone and erected by people living here before the arrival of Romans.

The museum is made up of 2 initial rooms explaining the meaning and process of search and discover of stele statues and 6 other rooms where all the statues are exposed according to their typology.

In the evening, you can participate to the interesting event Premio Bancarel’Vino, which takes place 3-4 days in August in the burgh of Mulazzo.

The aim of the event is to prize:

You can walk around the different stands, taste wines and if you want buy some of them.

Museo della Stampa “Jacopo da Fivizzano”: proposed by Loris Jacopo Bononi to remember the connection between Lunigiana and the print. Indeed, the first books with typographic symbols were published in Fivizzano around 1470.

The museum aims at illustrating the theme “From the Middle Age manuscript to the incunabulum, to the typewriter to the computer and further”.

The collection is divided into 3 sections: the first two of them concerns the contribution of Fivizzano to the written communication, at first thanks to Jacopo da Fivizzano who, between 1470 and 1474, published texts of Virgilio, Cicerone, Giovenale using for the first time the typographic symbols; then, in 1802 Agostino Fantoni invented the first typewriter and finally, the third section is dedicated to the little village of Parana, where the editor and bookman Maucci was born.

Still in Fivizzano you can visit an exhibition about mills and the Mill of Arlia, ancient water mill with 3 horizontal millstones, found and renovated by the Comunità Montana of Lunigiana.

Apuan Alps are on the background of Lunigiana and their glittering light can look like snow but it is marble instead.

Apuan Alps are on the background of Lunigiana and their glittering light can look like snow but it is marble instead.

130 is the number of still active caves of the Cave di Marmo di Carrara, whereas almost a thousand have run out of marble or have been abandoned.

It is known that Cesar was a pioneer in the activity of extraction, although the systematic exploitation of caves started in the Augustan Epoch.

After the decline of Middle Age, the caves of Carrara were activated again during the XIII century, between ‘400 and ‘500, as several artists, as Michelangelo, went there to choose in person their preferred piece of marble to be sculptured or to be used in cathedrals.

We suggest thus a guided visit in one marble laboratory, Cava Scuola (see www.scolpireilmarmo.it), where you can see a demonstration of the techniques of sculpture of this precious material.

For lunch you can choose between a typical restaurant or a “larderia”, place of production and tasting of the well known Lardo of Colonnata where you can not only taste lardo but also other different types of ham and salami, Tuscan cheeses and bread and more.

To get there you will pass through the gallery that connect the two big caves (Colonnata and Fantiscritti), outstanding and impressive place dug during 30’s and today only used for the transportation of the marble.

After that, you can visit the underground Cava Ravaccione in Miseglia, Carrara.

Your tour can then continue in the city of Carrara where you can visit the Accademia delle Belle Arti (www.accademia.carrara.it) which is situated in the Palazzo Cybo Malaspina, made up of 2 parts: the first one aged 1187 characterized by its square structure, the crenellated tower and the gate from ‘300; then you find the Corte Quattrocentesca decorated with symbols and marble art works.

The second part was added only in the XVI century by Alberico Cybo Malaspina.

Moreover, there are the Aula Magna, Pinacoteca, Gypsoteca and various courtyards.

Museo Cà Lunae (Castelnuovo Magra) is divided into:

The museum is made up of 5 rooms dedicated to places and people that have characterized Lunigiana: the soil, the grape harvest, the artisan, the cellar and wine.

Furthermore, at the internal enoteca you can taste and buy wine and all other products of Lunae. (www.calunae.it).

Another interesting place to visit is the enterprise of Mr Bedini, producer of the honey of Lunae, who will be pleased to show you the laboratory where honey is stored and to explain you the techniques and procedures of production.

Still in Luni is situated the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, inaugurated in 1964 in order to collect all the finds found in this area which was where Etruschi and Liguri first settled and where Romans founded their military harbour.

The site includes statues, coins, vases etc. as well as holy architectures as Capitolum, sanctuary of goddess Luna, Big Temple and Temple of Diana.

Next to the museum there are also the Mosaic House, the Northern Domus, the Decumano Massimo, the Foro and the Amphitheatre.

The historical centre of Sarzana and its Cittadella: lovely place to have a walk both during the day or at night.

Sarzana is a modern artisan, agricultural and tourist centre still enclosed by walls of the ‘500 with an astonishing artistic heritage.

The city rose when the near city of Luni was declining and all the people migrated to the hinterland because the level of the sea had diminished generating a big marsh.

The hill just nearby is dominated by the imposing Fortezza di Sarzanello erected in 1322.

In July, you can not only visit the fortress but also participate to a medieval dinner in the light of candles on the big terraces of the Fortezza and see other beautiful spectacles (www.fortezzadisarzanello.com).

Lunigiana is certainly a perfect place for different kind of excursions by walk, bicycle or horse riding during which you can admire the wonderful landscapes, burghs, castles and more.

You can follow the traced Trekking Itinerary of Lunigiana which is made up of 13 stages:

or try S.T.E.L (Tourist Excursion System of Lunigiana) that is an itinerary which cut crosswise this area and then connects itself to the Trekking Lunigiana: the theme of this itinerary is the system of castles.

Starting from the Castle of Terrarossa two itineraries follow the two sides of Magra River, connecting not only 22 castles but also many other sites of cultural interest as churches, sanctuaries, mills, bridges, palaces etc. (www.lunigiana.ms.it).

3 other itineraries are at your choice:

Leaving Villafranca heading to Monti, you will pass by Castiglione del Terziere, burgh rose on a little hill dominating the upper valley of river Magra.

Continue to Monti, little historical centre where you will find a typical example of Lunigiana’s castle.

Next stop is Licciana Nardi passing first through the little village of Pontebosio, whose castle with 4 angle towers is today a residential estate.

Licciana was one of the many fortified centres belonging to Malaspina. It offers a very nice burgh and the medieval Palace of Malaspina of a severe look as most of the Lunigiana’s castles due to their function of defence.

You will end your tour at Passo del Lagastrello, passing through Bastia and Comano.

On your way back you can choose a different route passing from Terrarossa and heading then to Villafranca.

Total itinerary: 53 km.

 Leaving always from Villafranca, follow for Pontremoli passing through Groppoli and Mulazzo where the ruins of Castellaro are with imposing walls and the exagonal tower high more than 30 m.

Arrived in Pontremoli you will visit the Castle of Piagnaro where the Museum of Statue Stele is.

In Pontremoli are also the Bishop’s Palace, the Cathedral and its clock tower Campanone.

Come back passing by Filattiera that dominates the valley from a big hill on your left and by Pieve di Sorano, apsidal complex dated XI century.

Before entering Villafranca, take on your left heading to Malgrate, where the big castle is surrounded by old stone houses and then continue to Bagnone.

Finally, descend again passing through Filetto, a square fortified burgh of the Middle Age to which you can access only through two monumental doors, according to the classical example of “castrum” Byzantine-roman.

Only few metres and you will be back to the camp site, walking alongside of the presumed “selva oscura” mentioned in the Divina Commedia of Dante.

Total itinerary: 34 Km.

Leave Villafranca heading to Aulla, passing by Fornoli that lies on one of the secondary itineraries of the Via Francigena.

Before arriving at Aulla, is Terrarossa, with its stunning fortified castle which was started in ‘500 and never finished because of the economic difficulties of the marquis Malaspina. Anyway, today it has accurately been renovated.

Once in Aulla, walk or ride up to the Fortezza della Brunella, one of the most efficient military structures in Lunigiana. Inside is the Museum of Natural History and around it the botanic garden.

On the way back, choose the variant of Tresana, little burgh today inhabited mainly by foreigners who have chosen this place because of its atmosphere out of time.

After it, you will find Lusuolo, particular village where all houses face on the only street that lies on the edge of the hill.

Total itinerary: 34 Km.

Other possibilities for your spare time are:

Ø     Terme di Equi Terme: thermals of radioactive water containing bicarbonates, sulphates and calcium useful for problems of breath, skin and allergies. It is possible to have hot baths, hydro-massages, aerosol therapy, insufflations and inhalations.

At Equi Terme you can also visit the Grotte di Equi which are part of the Cultural Park of Equi Terme.

Ø     Sentiero Azzurro: 12 Km way connecting Riomaggiore to Monterosso, high 200m on the sea level from which you will admire breathtaking landscapes of the Cinque Terre.

The initial part of this itinerary is the well know Via dell’Amore, dug in the rock of these cliffs at the beginning of 30’s.

Within only 40 Km you can reach very different and wonderful beaches on the Coast of Liguria.

Three of them are particularly nice (Fiascherino, San Terenzo, Portovenere) and are part of the so called Golfo dei Poeti (Gulf of the Poets).

The name of the Gulf testifies the importance it has represented for all the most important poets, starting from the past with Ennio and Virgilio, to the Middle Age with Dante up to the Modern Age with Percy & Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, Virginia Wolf, Pier Paolo Pasolini and more. Indeed, many of these authors passed or lived for a period of their life in these places or have referred to them in their masterpieces.

Fiascherino is situated half way between Lerici and Tellaro. There are two main beaches in sand, both quite small but very nice, in the heart of stunning natural surroundings.

San Terenzo is a little village next to Lerici where you can access a wide sand beach surrounded by its many multi-colours houses, the castle of San Terenzo on one side and the one of Lerici on the other side.

Portovenere lies at the far west of the Gulf, where not only the little beaches are very nice, but also the natural environment, the picturesque houses and the many “carrugi” which run everywhere in the village have a unique charm. Here you can lie in the sun or take a bath by the many rocks spread all around into the sea. Of particular beauty is Grotta Byron, hollowed in the cliff that connects the Gulf with the Cinque Terre. The Grotta takes its name after the English poet Byron who, though referred often to these places in his poems, never visited them.

Finally, you can easily access to the island situated in front of Portovenere called Palmaria by taking one of the many ferries that depart every day.

The best means to get to these destinations is by car, though parking is quite difficult to find especially in the peak periods (Week ends and middle August). Otherwise you can take the bus but you have surely to change at least once.

Cinque Terre are known worldwide for their particular position and exceptional beauty thus they are a must for everyone passing nearby.

As their name suggests, they consist in five little villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso) jutting out the cliff which has five inlets (one for each village).

Note that the only one of them that is provided with a beach in sand and with all the facilities (parasols, lawn chairs etc.) is Monterosso, that is the last one. In all other lands you will find only rocks.

The best way to get there is by train. Unfortunately, there is only one direct train leaving from Villafranca, otherwise you have to change in La Spezia. We advise against getting there by car because of the difficult road made of many hairpin turns and the lack of parking space.

MARKETS

CINEMAS

TAXI

Stazione Taxi Aulla - Ph: 0187 409008

Stazione Taxi Fivizzano - Ph: 0585-92240

Stazione Taxi Licciana Nardi - Ph: 0187-474129

Stazione Taxi Pontremoli - Ph: 0187-830054; 0187-830467

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