Lunigiana
Between Liguria and Tuscany
The fourteen countries that make up the Lunigiana occupy a wide and varied territory that, in the extreme north of Tuscany, is surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, the Alps and the Ligurian Sea.
On the border between Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia Romagna, Lunigiana still lives strongly in its history, so much tied to the Ligurian-Apuan as to the Roman colony of Luni, the most important port in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea, from which it takes its name. Its inhabitants are deeply linked to the traditions so as not to identify with any of the regions, but only as "Lunigiani". You can enjoy this fascination walking through the villages, visiting the many castles and the beautiful churches scattered among the hills to the foothills of the Apuan Alps and the Apennines.
The valleys today present themselves as a unique landscape that transfuses gradually moving away from the valley floor to mountain peaks, from the massive presence of man and his activities, to the absolute dominion of nature. A blend and balance that is read starting from the fields planted with maize reaching the terraced hills in order to accommodate vineyards and olive groves, from the chestnut woods to the higher beech woods, climbing slowly up to the pastures at high altitude.
Walking through the Lunigiana is also immerse themselves in a land of ancient flavors and products, typical of rural culture and of the mountain. The products of nature, carefully collected and processed, become simple dishes with delicious tastes.
You can not leave this territory without having tasted the cake “torta di erbi” or testaroli (sort of crepes cooked in wood and cut into irregular squares), having eaten panigacci (thin flat bread made of flour and water), accompanied by one of the many varieties of sausage or cheese produced in the area. In winter, you can take advantage for a day or a longer stay in the ski areas (the most famous one of Cerreto) or to stroll inside one of the many Christmas markets that are set up in the countries.
Throughout all seasons there are a number of festivals and street parties organized everywhere: ranging from the festival of pork nail in Quercia di Aulla in Februar, to that of daffodils on the grass of Logarghena di Filattiera in June, to the many parties related to chestnuts in October. In summer it is an explosion of events: the famous fair of San Genesio in Filetto di Villafranca, the festival of Panigacci in Podenzana, that of testaroli in Fosdinovo, that of polenta and goat in Olivola di Aulla, the festival of pattona (a typical bread made with chestnuts) in Agnino di Fivizzano! The folklore of the age-old tradition is even more perceptible in the famous bonfires, tall wooden made pyres that burn as auspicious or in honor of some saint; among the various appointments should be noted that of Sant’Antonio di Filattiera on January 16th and that of Corneda in May.