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Villages
Castelnuovo Garfagnana
This village housed the poet Ludovico Ariosto when he was Governor of the Garfagnana. During the bombardment which occurred in the Second World War the fortress Ariosto remained intact. The original installation dates back to the twelfth century, but in it there are also preserved many features from the renaissance. It has been host to a permanent exhibition “The Ligurians of the High Valley of the Serchio” in which there are displays of finds from the bronze age and of the settlements of the Ligurian-Apuani. You can also visit the cathedral dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul. A good idea is to join the evening ‘passegiata’ along the encircling walls of the village.
Each Thursday morning the village hosts one of the most important markets of the Garfagnana. The”Pathway of Ariosto” which leads to the Montalfonso Fortress starts from Via Azzi.
Pieve Fosciana
This village has antique origins. The centre is enriched with beautiful stonework, and has the important Romanesque parish church of St. John the Baptist, which dates back to the year 1,000, (it is probably the most ancient church in the Garfagnana). It is known as the village ‘made up of eight lines’ where you will see sections dedicated to local produce. In the vicinity it is worth visiting the lake in Pra’di Lama or “del bagno”.
Pieve Fosciana was reached by the Sentiero dei Mulini (pathway of the mills), which is longer than the “I Sentieri del Moro” (pathway of the Moro), see the section on “sentieri” (pathways). It went to the village of Sillico and returned to Pieve Fosciana.
Vagli di Sotto and Vagli di Sopra
Both of ancient origin they have preserved features of medieval urban life. Some churches enrich the two villages from which you can easily reach the hermitage of Saint Viano and Campocatino. A good idea is to walk to the lake formed by the construction of an imposing dam. The lake is emptied out periodically revealing the haunting, ancient settlement of Fabbriche di Careggine.
Between Vagli and Resceto, on the sea side of the Apuane Alps, runs the well preserved stretch of the Via Ducale Vandelli. Found there is one of the most daring civil engineering works of the eighteenth century. It was designed to unite the cities of Modena and Massa by crossing through the Apennines and the Apuane Alps. However the work presented insurmountable difficulties and the project was abandoned. This has allowed us to analyse the construction techniques of the period.
Barga
Originally of medieval origins Barga is surrounded by walls which have remained intact. It is characterized by a maze of alleys defined by Renaissance palaces. Rising above the cathedral is reached. It was constructed from the eleventh century and was the symbol of Romanesque architecture of the Serchio Valley. The interior architecture is noteworthy as is the holy water fount, the baptismal font and the pulpit. In the forecourt there is a splendid panorama of the Apuane Alps with Mount Forato clearly visible.
Barga is a lively, cultural city which contains amongst others, the Theatre of the Different, the Civic museum of the region and, in Castelvecchio, the museum of Pascoli’s house.
Bagni di Lucca
Bagni Di Lucca originally comprised three separate districts, Bagno alla Villa, Corsena and Piano di Corsena. It was noted for its buildings, the villas, the palaces, some public monuments and the thermal baths which attained their maximum splendour between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Don’t miss the antique pharmacy Betti founded in 1729, the beautiful church of Saint Peter and the remarkable chain bridge, the project of Lorenzo Nottolini.
Bagni di Lucca is famous for its thermal baths and it is where the theatre founded by the ‘Accademia dei Provvidi’ is based.
Borgo a Mozzano
Surmounted by the convent of Saint Francesco, this village comprises a long series of ancient palaces, dominated by the Vicario Palace, today the seat of the commune, and the Roncini, Santini and Pellegrini palaces. The real symbol of the village is the Devil’s Bridge, (Ponte del Diavolo, or della Maddalena) whose origins are lost in history and legend. The wonderful architecture of the bridge is enriched by the reflections in the basin of water, overlooked by the hydroelectric works.
Every year during April, Borgo a Mozzano holds an Azalea exhibition. Also of interest are the fortifications of the Gothic Line and the Monte Agliale observatory which is open to the public.
Coreglia Antelminelli
The village of Coreglia Antelminelli is situated above the stronghold on the most elevated point of the Apennines which narrows down from the sloping banks of the Ania and Segone rivers. Under the fortifications the encircling walls of the village were developed, and they contain the ancient entry points. Important historical features are the Romanesque church of Saint Michael and the pre Romanesque church of Saint Martin.
The village also contains the Porcelain Museum of Emigrants. Coreglia Antelminelli was included as one of “the most beautiful villages of Tuscany”.
Ghivizzano
It was one of the most important army centres of the valley and was the centre of military operations for the powerful Castracani family. The village developed in a concentric manner under the tower and above the defensive works of the valley. Via di Sossala is characteristic where the dwellings were reached through a communication trench endowed with loopholes. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul was constructed on top of the ancient manor church.
Every year Ghivizzano organises the gastronomic festival “Norcini a Castello”.
Fabbriche di Vallico
Fabbriche di Vallico was settled during the medieval period. It takes its name from the blacksmiths who came from Lombardia (region in the north of Italy). The village has beautiful palaces with loggias and doorways dating from the sixteenth century. The most notable monument is the mule saddle bridge overlooked by the erstwhile customs house between the Duchy of Modena and the Republic of Lucca.
From Fabbriche di Vallico it is easy to reach the Alto Matanna area, which is near to the ridge of the Apuano. You can complete some of the best excursions in the Apuane Alps from there, finishing at the mountains of Forato and Procinto.