Why visit Garfagnana?

The Garfagnana has historically been a land of conquests and struggles between powerful families and cities of the past such as the Malaspina and Estensi, the Republic of Lucca and Florence.

In this land, characterized by ancient small towns separated by the green woods, survive castles, ancient churches shrines and heremitages such as San Pellegrino in Alpe, fortresses such as the Fortress of the Verrucole and the Fortress of Mont'Alfonso. From here passed a variant of the Via Francigena that led to Lucca, the Via del Volto Santo.

Today each of these Garfagnana hamlets presents different peculiarities but in each one we can find the simplicity and genuineness of everyday life that is still carried out according to the principles of the past ... It will not be difficult to come across a shepherd with his flock in the "pink" country of  Sassorosso, or in a woman who weaves the loom in Corfino, enjoy mushrooms and wooded products at the Alpeggio di Campaiana Alpeggio di Campaiana, or maybe stop "da Silvano" in Castiglione di Garfagnana to have a snack with pecorino cheese and a good glass of wine, visit the shepherds' pasture in Campocatino, or the submerged village in Vagli di Sotto, passing by the enchanted village of Isola Santa ...

These countries, surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes and streams, offer many opportunities for recreation for nature and mountain lovers.

Have a good trip between stone churches, perched villages, narrow streets, buildings, nature to discover a world where the clock of time seems to have stopped!

During the summer, but not only, Garfagnana is full of food and wine events, music, and "Sagre". The festivals are one of the most entertaining folkloristic aspects: country festivals realized in honor of a local gastronomic specialty (every country has at least one and is proud of it!), where you can taste good food and drink good wine while walking around village, and finally dance together in the village square. This is what happens for example in the "Tasting Walk" in Corfino, or during the "Festa degli Orti" in Cerageto: every alley, small terrace and garden is made available to the traveler, in a succession of food and wine stages: from the aperitif to dessert.

Many festivals then have the charm of history, like the medieval festivals in which the inhabitants of the village recreate an ancient atmosphere with historical costumes, acrobat performances, all in the light of torches. The most exciting is the Festa Medioevale di Castiglione di Garfagnana  which takes place in August. Other Sagre have a more bucolic appearance and take place directly in the chestnut woods, such as Sagra della Trota in Villa Collemandina, where a large barbecue roasts meat for adults and children, waiting for the beginning of the dances ...

Music and shopping are the protagonists of "Settimana del Commercio in Castelnuovo Garfagnana: seven nights in which concerts, exhibitions and events follow one another, among the lights of the shops open until midnight.

Jazz fans can not miss  Barga Jazz Festival, an international event of great prestige, which takes place in the beautiful setting of the village of Barga. Festa delle Piazzette is also held here for a duration of 10 days.

The end of the summer then gives way to all the autumn parties such as the October Fair in Castiglione di Garfagnana where the chestnuts, called "burned", are roasted. December is the time of the Christmas markets but above the Living Cribs like that of Villa Collemandina.

In short, you are spoiled for choice!

Many people, passionate about trekking and the mountains, come to Garfagnana to reach or more simply to admire the peaks of this land. In the Trekking della Garfagnana routes there are excursions for all tastes: itineraries for experts between the rocky peaks of the Apuano side, pleasant walks through the high pastures of the Appennino slope.

If you love the most demanding routes in the Apuan Alps,

starting from north to south, we find: Monte Pisanino, surrounded by the peaks of Pizzo d'Uccello, Monte Grondilice and Monte Roccandagia. Going south we can see the Tambura, the high Sella, Monte Sumbra and Monte Altissimo that borders the group of Panie and Corchia. Further to the south, Monte Forato and Matanna.

Those who love more relaxing and suitable for beginners and children prefer to explore the Parco dell'Appenino Tosco-Emiliano: it takes very little to find yourself on top of the mountains, between the song of crickets and the low vegetation of the large green fields. Simple routes are those that start from Casone di Profecchia, or the paths of the Orecchiella Park and the Pania di Corfino, or the path of the Fountain of Love that reaches Campaiana passing through pastures of cows and calves ...

The typical Garfagnana cuisine is traditionally simple and substantial, as the rhythms of life in the past left no time for elaborate recipes. The food products used are genuine and delicious, which is why they are very successful even in our time.

Some of them have received important awards and are guaranteed by the IGP and DOP quality brands. As Farro of Garfagnana I.G.P., Chestnut Flour of Garfagnana D.O.P .. Very famous in this land are also: Honey, Porcini mushrooms, Pecorino cheese, Formenton eight rows,

Biroldo (typical pork meat), Potato bread and Bazzone ham.

Garfagnana is also famous for the quality of the restaurant and for its excellent quality / price ratio.

Among the most popular restaurants I recommend:  Col D' Arciana, Il Nido dell'Aquila di Mary, Il Pozzo, Il Baretto, Trattoria Bonini, La Ceragetta, Da Lorietta.

And if you love being outdoors, you should know that in Garfagnana you do not eat only in a restaurant, but also in the streets of the villages during the country festivals called "Sagre"...