Countless quaint villages are scattered throughout the Lunigianese territory, forming a constellation of stories, mysteries and legends with enchanting power on the visitor who takes the time to slowly open this chest full of treasures…
Lunigiana is a region that embraces mountains, hills and sea, crossed by major and small rivers. The territory touches Liguria and Tuscany, and some more remote localities are in the Emilia region.
While the Stele Statues found in many ancient sites of Lunigiana are the evidence of the primitive yet evolved origins of the whole area, Middle Age and Renaissance villages, castles, abbeys are the witnesses of the manifold troubled story of Lunigiana over the centuries. The Malaspina Marquis Family ruled here with its feudal power and magnificent fortresses, battling alternatively against Florence, Genoa, Lucca for the control over the primary communication routes from Rome to France that crosses Lunigiana, the Via Francigena.
The region can nowadays be divided into Upper and lower Lunigiana, the latter being roughly correspondent to the Val di Magra, the Valley crossed by the Magra river and with a strategic mouth to the sea in the area of La Spezia.
Where possible, guided visits to the Malaspina mansions are one of the exciting experiences to do in Lunigiana. Food and drinks tastings take you back to ancient charming traditions.
Interesting treks and outdoor activities such as rafting and canyon walking are great opportunities to enjoy the Lunigiana rivers and their pristine nature.
The Via Francigena (formerly Via Francesca or Via Romea) is one of the longest and richest routes in history that is found in Europe, is a real pilgrimage that leads from Canterbury to Rome and was considered one of the most important European communication routes in medieval times.
From the Cisa pass the Via Francigena descends along the side of Tuscany, meeting the land of Lunigiana.
The route of the Via Francigena in Lunigiana is divided into:
