Lunigiana is characterized by many interesting old town centres, medieval villages, churches and castles and also by a charming surrounding landscape with a varied rural and cultural tradition that can be summarized with some important historical and geographic stages.
Lunigiana is the land of the Malaspina family that from the XI century established their power on the Luni Committee, while the Apennines is the place where they built an effective fortification system (still visible today and partially available for visits) where the exile Dante was lodged, who probably was inspired by these landscapes for some descriptions reported on the Divina Commedia.
From the Apennines to the sea, following the Francigean Way, you can discover many traces, landscapes and traditions of the Middle Ages.
Northern gate of Lunigiana and typical medieval town, it was established by the aggregation of a village around its “castrum”; from Cisa main road both the castle of Piagnaro, completely renovated and now seat of Museo delle Statue Stele, and the town houses seem to defend the old town centre, protected in the north by Porta Parma, while the confluence of the rivers Magra and Verde mark the boundary in the south. The town has many monuments to visit such as the cathedral of Santa Maria del Popolo (XVII century) with Baroque interiors, the Campanone, tower belonging to the ancient town walls which divided the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, the church of S. Colombano, the church of S. Pietro with the sculpture portraying the pilgrim Labyrinth and the church of SS. Annunziata, dating back to 1471.
Village of Byzantine origin which became the capital of Malaspina dello Stelo Secco family. To visit: the octagonal tower, named “Dante’s tower”, because Dante Alighieri stayed there for a time as guest of Malaspina family, the ruins of Malaspina castle (XIII-XV century), the imposing arcades of the ancient waterworks (XV century) and the Centro Studi Alessandro Malaspina, navigator who lived in ‘700 (for info: phone 0187 439712). In the surrounding area: along the road to Gavedo, seat of a castle dating back to ‘500, you can visit the ancient Romanic church of S. Martino (VIII century), Montereggio, typical village surrounded by chestnut trees and home land of wandering booksellers, and the medieval monastery of Madonna del Monte with a Marian icon dating back to ‘300.
Noble town of the eastern Lunigiana, annexed to the Florence Republic after the rule of the Malaspina family. To visit: the Medicean walls, the old town centre with Medicean square and fountain, the oratory of S. Carlo (XVII century), the Baroque temple, the church of Santi Jacopo e Antonio (XIV century) with a medieval font reporting the Templar symbol of Cavalieri del Tau, the convent of S. Agostino (XIV century) and the convent of Carmine. In the surrounding area: the village Verrucola and its castle, the Botanical Gardens of Frignoli (for info: phone 0585 949688), the parish church of S. Paolo, the parish church of Vendaso (VIII-XII century), Gragnola and Castello dell’Aquila, Arlia and the ancient mill (for info: phone 0187 422598).
Town dominated by the Brunella fortress (XV-XVI century), now seat of the Museum of Lunigiana Natural History (for info: phone 0187 409077). In the surrounding area: the village Bibola with its winding structure and the ruins of an imposing castle (XII-XIII), and the walled medieval village of Caprigliola with the cylindrical Tower (XII century).
The Malaspina castle (XI-XIII century) lies in the middle of this attracting landscape and is dominated by an imposing circular tower. In the surrounding area: the parish church of Crespiano (XI century) where the bell tower is the only remnant.
This village shows signs and facilities of the ancient craft shops. To visit: the church of S. Nicolò (XII century), the Ethnographic Museum of Lunigiana with the heritage of the local rural culture (for info: phone 0187 439417). In the surrounding area: Filetto, walled village of Byzantine origin having still the quadrangular shape of the Roman “Castrum”, and Malgrate, medieval village with Malaspina castle (XIII-XVII century), dominated by a cylindrical tower and protected by castle walls.
Very ancient Liguarian-Apuan settlement and medieval capital of Malaspina dello Spino Fiorito family. To visit: the church of S. Giorgio with Leodgar’s tombstone and the castle defensive medieval tower (XIV century). At the foot of the village, the parish church of Sorano (VIII-X century), excellent example of Romanic art. In the surrounding area: Ponticello, typical village in gallery and Caprio, interesting village with the ruins of towered houses.
It is characterized by the castle located on the top of the promontory and by the lower village. To visit: the castle of a marquis with its cylindrical tower (XIV century), which can be found in many castle in Lunigiana. In the surrounding area: the village Castiglione del Terziere and its castle (XI century – for info: phone 0187 429010), and Jera, small mountain village overlooking wonderful panoramas.
In this territory you can admire a homogeneous system made of castles, parish churches, towered houses and walled villages, which represent the fortified control network established by Malaspina family. The village, rich in decorated portals, develops along the main road closed by Malaspina castle-palace. In the surroundin area: the castles of Monti (XIII century), Bastia (XV century) and Terrarossa (XVI century), and the parish church of Venelia.
It is the gate of Lunigiana to the park of the Apuan Alps, with several remains of the Middle Ages on its territory. To visit: the cylindrical tower (XI-XV century), the territorial museum of Aulella high valley (for info: phone 0585 90361) with a collection of prehistoric remains (for info: phone 0585 90361). In the surrounding area: the parish churches of Codiponte and Offiano, ancient walled villages.
It is surrounded by the walls of the village, where sea and mountains seem very close to each other, and dominated by Malaspina castle (XIV-XVII). To visit: the church of S. Remigio (1367) with its panoramic location. In the surrounding area: Caniparola and the Malaspina villa, Luni, Sarzana and Cinque Terre.
Pacchetti Primavera
Coccole di Primavera