From Massa, the northernmost provincial capital in Tuscany and a Medieval stronghold of the Malaspina family, follow the signs for Gragnana-Castelpoggio-Fosdinovo, at the junction with the SS446 turn left for Fosdinovo, an ancient village built in a strategic location in the late XI century to defend the first “Castrum”, which is less than one km away.
Here you can visit the Malaspina Castle, an imposing medieval fortress which often hosts cultural events, exhibitions and concerts.
For information, call 0187-68891
From Fosdinovo, go back to the SS446, after about 1.5 km turn left into the SP9 bound for Ponzarello; past the village, drive on along the SP57, at the next junction turn left for Pallerone-Aulla.
When on the SS63, turn left and after about 3 km you will find the town of Aulla; an important trade junction since Byzantine times and a key step along the Via Francigena.
You cannot miss a visit to the Brunella Fortress and the Museum of Natural History of Lunigiana.
Open: 9-12 am/2-6 pm, closed on Mondays
Tel. 0187-400252.
Back on the SS63, drive on towards Pallerone - Rometta – Gassano (already in the municipality of Fivizzano), after about 11 km turn right into the SS445 bound for Gassano, drive on along the SS63 for 5 km until you are in Fivizzano, the Medicean village of the hundred quarters, where the Comunità Montana della Lunigiana is based, and an important junction in the past at the crossroads between the Po Valley and the sea.
Once out of Fivizzano, drive on along the SS63, towards the Cerreto Pass, where you will find the Verrucosa Castle which Spinetta Malaspina wanted to be built around 1300, now owned by sculptor Pietro Cascella.
On the SP17 again, bound for Posara, a small hamlet near Fivizzano, drive on for 15 km on the SP21, heading for Agnino – Licciana, turn right to reach the village and the Bastia Castle, erected in the XIII century and now a private property; it used to belong to the Malaspina family, then to the Medici.
Back to Licciana, on the SP21, which you will drive on for about 13 km bound for Gabbiana – Bagnone, you will arrive in a small, quaint medieval village made up of nestled stone houses overlooked by the castle with its typical cylindrical tower.
Because of its strategic position, Bagnone was an extraordinary defence for the Malaspina family in the XIII and XIV century.
Drive on along the SP21, then the SP28 heading for Malgrate, take the SS62 to Filattiera, where you can find Byzantine, Roman, Medieval and Renaissance remains.
In Filattiera, you cannot miss a visit to the wonderful Parish Church of Sorano, along the Via Francigena, a magnificent specimen of Romanesque architecture and an important step for the pilgrims.
From Filattiera, take the SS62, about 8 km later turn left into the SP37 for Pontremoli, an ancient village that has been documented since 800 and an important thoroughfare, which was aptly named the “gateway and key to the Apennines”.
The village is dominated by the Piagnaro Castle, probably built in Lombard times, which now hosts the Museum of Statues-Steles of Lunigiana.
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