Itineraries
Pontremoli and the Stele Statues
Fivizzano and western Lunigiana
Bagnone e the Magra river valley
Pontremoli and the stele statues - (full day app. 8 hrs.)
Gateway to Tuscany, Pontremoli is born and developes itself like a merchant town along the Francigena trail betwee 10th and 14th century. Afterwards, due to its strategic importance, the village the village was contended by the main italian towns of that time, until when, since the half of 17th century, Pontremoli falls under the control of Florence, whose government guaranteed peace and wealth that favoured the birth of the Baroque Pontremoli embellished by new churches and noble palaces.
The visit starts from Porta a Parma and continues through Sommoborgo (top of the village) that peaks with the Piagnaro castle which hosts the Stele Statues Museum of Lunigiana, the visit continues with the church of S. Mary, the adjacent town-hall square and St. Francis bridge, from where are visible the Seratti and Castelnuovo towers, part of Pontremoli's defensive system.
In the afternoon we visit Ponticello, charming tunnel-village with its old tower-houses, to finish with the beautiful parxh of Sorano, amazing example of Romanesque architecture.
Other suggestions
In cae of longer stays on the territory, or if you wish to combinate Pontremoli with another half day itinerary.
- Carrara and the marble quarries
- Le Cinque Terre
- Sarzana
- La Spezia, archaeological museum
- Ethnographic museum of Lunigiana
- Local wine & food tasting
Useful info
Entrance ticket at Stele Statues Museum € 4,00/pax - € 2,00/pax for groups, children and over 65
Fivizzano and the eastern Lunigiana - (full day appr. 8 hrs.)
Since the middle-age, Fivizzano and its territory toghether with Castelnuovo Garfagnana and Castelnuovo nè Monti, formed a real industrial triangle based on the mountain economy that, for centuries, made these lands wealthy. Fivizzano, the so-called "Florence of the Lunigiana" , was the town where Jacopo da Fivizzano opened on 1471 one of Europe's first tipography, and on 1806 Agostino Fantoni contructed the first typewriter.
The itinerary starts in Codiponte with visit of the village and the local parish dedicated to SS Cornelio and Cipriano, embellished by interesting and mysterious sculptures. In the afternoon we continue with Verrucola, the ancestor village fo Fivizzano developed in the middle-age at all around of the homonymous castle owned by the Malaspina family. At the end Fivizzano, that, with the increase of the commerces, became the beating hearth of the territory, with its wide market square (Medicean square) decorated by Cosimo's fountain and by the church of SS. Jacopo e Antonio.
Other suggestions
In cae of longer stays on the territory, or if you wish to combinate Pontremoli with another half day itinerary.
- Carrara and the marble quarries
- The Cinque Terre
- Sarzana
- Local wine & food tasting
- S. Caprasio abbey
- Print Museum of Fivizzano
Useful info
Bagnone and Magra river valley - (full day appr. 8 hrs.)
The first news about Bagnone date back to the 10th century about a castle that was part of defensive system of Magra river valley. Afterwards passed under Malaspina's control and, since the 15th century, under Florence. Visiting Bagnone and the villages of this territory, permits to tell about the rise and fall of the Malaspina family.
The itinerary starts in Aulla, visiting the remains of S. Caprasio abbey, ideal places to tell about medieval pirlmages' epic, we continue with Bagnone, in order to understand its evolution from feudal village into Reinassance merchant town.
In the afternoon we visit Filetto, interesting village still surrounded by its city walls, and we finish at the old parish of Sorano, splendid example of Romanesque architecture.
Other suggestions
In cae of longer stays on the territory, or if you wish to combinate Pontremoli with another half day itinerary.
- Carrara and the marble quarries
- The Cinque Terre
- Sarzana
- Local wine & food tasting
- Ethnographic museum of Lunigiana
Useful info
Fosdinovo, Malaspina's land - (half day appr. 3 hrs.)
It is the village where è durato più a lungo: since the foundation of the village until Napoleon's arrival. Starting from the half of 15th century, Fosdinovo became and independent little state and lived a flourishing economical peiod, arriving at 1.500 inhabitants. The village is located across the hill that separate the coastal area from the inland, its castle, built in order to protect the road system across the fauce nova (Fosdinovo) rises itself elegant and imposign at one side of the village, the rest of it lies along the ridge of the mountain.
In addiction of the mentioned castle, the visit of Fosdinovo offers other interesting sites: St. Remigio's church, that hosts the funerary monument of Galeoto Malaspina, and the 1600 Oratorio dei Bianchi.
Other suggestions
Half day itineraries at sites located in the vicinities of Fosdinovo.
- Carrara and the marble quarries
- Sarzana
Useful info
Entrance ticket at Malaspina castle: € 5,00/pax for adults - € 3,00/pax children
Massa, città Cybea - (half day appr. 3 hrs.)
The first settlements date back to 11th century, but Massa knew its maximum splendor during Cybo-Malaspina's government (15th-19th century), who made of Massa one of Italy's most active artistic centers.
The itinerary starts with the visit at the local Malaspina castle and continues through the historical center: Mercurio square, Ducal Palace, and the SS: Francis and Peter's cathedral.
Other suggestions
Half day itineraries at sites located in the vicinities of Massa.
- Carrara and the marble quarries
- Sarzana
Useful info
Entrance ticket at malaspina's castle: € 5,00/pax adults - € 3,00/pax 18-25 years - Free for under 18 and over 65 - Groups € 3,00/pax
