Discovering beautiful Lunigiana, Tuscany`s hidden gem
It is home to some of Italy's wildest and most unspoilt countryside – a land of mountains and sea. It is an expansive, densely forested and mountainous terrain seamed with waymarked paths, scattered with many tiny hill villages, where olive groves and little vineyards abound and the Italian Riviera lies within a short drive. The English romantic poets came and left their legacy – The Golfo dei Poeti where one can swim and dream in an idyllic Italian sea and townscape.
There are Romanesque churches and historic castles to discover and wild swimming in its rivers and waterfalls.
The historic pilgrim routes of the Via Francigina and the Via Volto Santo pass close by our door and Dante resided in the nearby castle at Fosdinovo where some of his epic poem was conceived.
Fivizzano
Our nearest town, 10 minutes away by car, has been called the `Florence of the North` due to its historical connections with the Florentine Medici dynasty. Cosimo Ⅰ de Medici built the walls in 1540 and Cosimo Ⅲ presented the fountain in the central square in 1683.
The town is known for its links with early printing, and Jacopo da Fivizzano opened one of the first print houses in the entire country and started printing books here between 1470 and 1474. There is a museum (Museo della Stampa) to celebrate this and where you can see Mussolini's typewriter in a glass case!!.
There are two large festivals - the Sapori, a festival celebrating the local foods held in early June , and the Disfida, an ancient archery competition commemorating an historic event and held in July. Both exploit the spaces of the town to brilliant effect with Tuscan flag throwing, music and dancing.
Bars & Restaurants
Gelateria Pasticceria Bar Ricci Overlooking the square and fountain in Piazza Medicea, Bar Ricci is a lovely place to relax and people watch. Enjoy homemade gelato, excellent coffee & cakes and the Aperitivo is plentiful and well priced. 0585 92069
Caffè Elvetico Another great place to sit and watch the world go by. Located on the opposite side of the square from bar Ricci, Caffè Elvetico offers breakfast, cocktails and aperitifs, lunch and dinner. The menu offers some lovely traditional ligurian dishes, our favorite being Testaroli; a kind of crepe cut up into rhombuses and served with Genoese pesto.
There is also a small libary with books available in English and free Wi-Fi.
Open 6am-12am Monday - Sunday 0585 926657
Ristorante Pizzeria Medicea Great family run pizzeria and restaurant, located in the square. Authentically Italian pizzas, with vegan and vegetarian options.
Open 12:30-2:30pm, 7pm-12:30am Monday - Sunday, closed Wednesday 0585 92085
Pizzeria Wladimiro Our favorite local pizzeria, located opposite the car park near the supermarket. Always full of locals and always busy, the service is warm and welcoming and hands down has the best farinata!!
Open 8am-2pm, 4:30-9pm Tuesday - Sunday, closed Monday 0585 92336
Local amenities
Carrefour Express Supernarket Open 7:30am-1:30pm, 3:30-7:30pm Monday - Saturday, 8:30am-1:30pm Sunday
0585 948075
Farmacia Comunale di Fivizzano Open 8:30am-1pm, 3:30-7:30pm Monday - Saturday, closed Sunday
0585 92052
Verrucola
Nearby is Verrucola, a beautiful village dominated by its castle. This castle was restored by Pietro Cascelli, a sculptor whose work can be seen within the castle by special arrangement with the owner. You can also see some of his sculptures when walking around the village.
Open 12:30-3pm, 7-11pm Monday - Friday, 11am-11pm Saturday & Sunday 340 382 2712
Locanda al Castello Is an authentic family run restaurant located at the foot of Verrucola Castle (possibly the old castle dungeons!). The food, cooked by the father, is superb, local and fresh. Ask for the workers lunch or "Pranzo di Lavoro" which includes are large primi and secondi, wine, bread and coffee. All for 12€. This is where all the local workers eat.
Open 12pm-3pm Monday - Sunday, 7pm - 12am Friday - Sunday 340 382 2712
