In Garfagnana, within a few kilometres of our holiday homes,
you can take excursions to:
- Calomini hermitage
An impressive site of worship and prayer recorded since the
13th C., Calomini is a rare example of rupestrian architecture
in Garfagnana: its oldest parts were in fact built using a cave,
and the buiding is embedded in overhanging rock faces.
- Grotta
del vento (Windy cave) at Fornovolasco
Probably known since the 17th C. as a crevice, it was finally
discovered by some local kids in the 1800's. Works to make it
accessible to the general public begun in 1965. Today visitors
can choose from three different itineraries enabling them to
safely explore the underground magic of this fascinating cave,
full of everchanging dripstones. http://www.grottadelvento.com
- Plaster
sculpture museum at Coreglia Antelminelli
This unique collection showcases some 1,300 specimens of plaster
figures that the unparalleled master "figurinai" of
the area have shaped over the centuries for customers from all
over the world. A special section also illustrates the art of
modelling
plaster. http://www.cribecu.sns.it/lucca/ENG/MUS/
- Provincial
folk museum of San Pellegrino in Alpe
In 1968 the parson started a collection, which was further enriched
end enlarged over the following decade, with tools, household
goods and furniture assembled from all over Garfagnana in the
premises of the former hospice.
-
Verrucole fortress at San Romano
Shaped like a boat, with the stern pointing south-west and the
stem towards the north-east, the fortress overlooks the town
with a commanding ring of walls and a tower, skilfully combining
man-made defensive works and the impervious natural features
of Garfagnana.
- Isola Santa (Sacred
Isle)
The hamlet probably stemmed from a "hospitale" - recorded
since 1260, but certainly een older than that - which provided
shelter for wayfarers crossing the Apuane Alps through the Foce
di Mosceta on the route between Versilia and Garfagnana.
-
Vagli lake
The Vagli basin is notoriuos as the "Atlantis" of
Garfagnana for the old burgh of Fabbriche di Careggine that
was evaquated and submerged in the late 1940s when the artificial
lake driving the power station was crated. The village re-emerges
from the lake every ten years or so when the basin is periodically
emptied, and on these occasions it attracts hoards of visitors.
- Giovanni Pascoli
Home
At Castelvecchio you cannot miss the house where Giovanni Pascoli
lived together with his sister Mariù from 1895 until
his death in 1912. The poet chose the place for the peace and
beauty of the surroundings. Here he rests with his sister in
the chapel adjoining the house, where all his manuscripts, diplomas
and books are preserved. http://www.fondazionepascoli.it/
For many other ideas
and information about places to visit and tourist activities
please check:
- Ponti nel Tempo (bridges in time)
LUCCA - Upper Versilia, Garfagnana and Serchio Valley
Folklore and traditions, art and culture, museums and galleries,
crafts, typical local produce, markets, tourist itineraries,
sport and outdoors, maps, famous natives of the area and much
more http://www.pontineltempo.it/
Art cities:
: - Bagni di Lucca
Spa resort with some famous Art Nouveau buildings. It boasts
the oldest casino in Europe. http://www.termebagnidilucca.it
- Barga (10 km away)
Historic medieval walled town perched around the beautifu ancient
cathedral. http://www.prolocobarga.it
- Castelnuovo Garfagnana (8
km away)
The Este dukes from Ferrara elected it the capital of Garfagnana.
Famous for its Rocca Ariostesca, where epic poet Ludovico Ariosto
resided and held office when he was made governor of the area. http://luccapro.cribecu.sns.it
- Lucca (40 km away)
The perfectly preserved city walls provide a 4 kilometre scenic
walk with unsurpassed views over the roofs and churches of the
inner city. http://www.luccaturismo.it/
- Pisa
(60 km away)
The undying magic of the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli
monumental complex. http://www.opapisa.it/
Montagne-trekking
:
Molazzana lies in the middle of some of the most important excursion
routes in the Apuane Alps:
- Pania della Croce and Pania Secca ring
- Monte Forato (hollow mountain)
- Monte Palodina
- Monte Tambura
- Monte Pisanino
- Monte Giovo
- Monte Rondinaio
- Tre Potenze
