Barga
(reachable in about 13 minutes by car)
Barga, Giovanni Pascoli’s adoptive town, is a medieval village of singular beauty. Barga obtained the “Bandiera Arancione” from Touring Club Italiano and other important tourist acknowledges such as “One of the most beautiful places in Italy”.
A few km from Barga, now a museum, is the last abode of the poet Giovanni Pascoli, who lived for more than 15 years.
Remained unchanged after the death of the poet by his sister Mariu still offers the calm and serene atmosphere that so inspired the poet in his stay in Castelvecchio.
Grotta del Vento (Wind Cave)
(reachable in about 30 minutes by car)
Situated in the centre of the Apuan Alps’ Natural Park, this is one of the most complete European caves, presenting an extraordinary variety of phenomena which are outlined with competence and precision by expert speleological guides.
www.grottadelvento.com
Lucca
(reachable in about 40 minutes by car)
The first thing you will see arriving in Lucca are the town walls which are very well preserved and still today surround all the old town. Lucca is the only town in Italy entirely surrounded by wall!
Borgo a Mozzano
(reachable in about 20 minutes by car)
Borgo a Mozzano is an important historical and artistic place. The real symbol of the village is the Devil’s Bridge (Ponte del Diavolo, or della Maddalena), whose origins are lost in history and legend. The wonderful architecture of the bridge is enriched by the reflections in the basin of water, overlooked by the hydroelectric works.
Vagli Lake
(reachable in about 45 minutes by car)
The small town of “Vagli” still has its ancient center made of stone houses and roads that can only be traveled on foot.
The lake hides, within its waters, “The Ghost Town” of Fabbriche di Careggine. This town, today completely submerged, used to be known for its metal-working artisans until it was abandoned in 1953 because of massive floods due to the creation of a hydroelectric basin. Since then, for maintenance purposes, the basin is drained every 10 years bringing back to light the town with its church and steeple.
Isola Santa (Holy Island)
(reachable in about 35 minutes by car)
The village of Isola Santa (Holy Island) with its lake, is about 15 km from Castelnuovo.
It is a fascinating place that certainly deserves a visit, both for its trout-rich lakes as well as for the small-uninhabited village that brings to life emotions of ancient times.
Trassilico
(reachable in about 15 minutes by car)
A fortified complex of Medieval origin, Trassilico is situated in a strategic position, on a hill at 720 meters above sea level, just behind the Alpi Apuane, in front of
- Monte Forato, a perforated mountain situated natural arc on the ridge of the Alps Apuane.
- Pania della Croce, the more known peak of the Apuane Alps.
The path is easy and joints in peak through wild landscapes, the immense sight enchants for its stately beauty.
The Rocca of Trassilico, that occupies the highest point of the village. It idominates the middle of the valley of the river Serchio, on a hill 732 meters above sea level.
Eremo di Calomini
(reachable in about 20 minutes by car)
The “Eremo di Calomini” is situated along the road which leads to the Grotta del Vento, built on the foot of a 70 meter precipice it is set 15 meters inside the rock. The sacristy itself is actually carved inside a boulder.
Orrido di Botri (Natural Reserve)
(reachable in about 30 minutes by car)
Orrido di Botri is a deep canyon in some places up to 200 meters. Among its gorges biodiversity is well maintained
and there are plants missing elsewhere and very rare animal species, including golden eagles and other raptors.
Gramolazzo Lake
(reachable in about 50 minutes by car)
This lake is a fine place where one can not only swim, but go fishing, rent boats and canoes for excursions.
In the summer time, sailing regattas are held on this lake.
Fortezza delle Verrucole (Verrucole Fortress)
(reachable in about 40 minutes by car)
The “Fortezza delle Verrucole” is situated at an altitude of 655 meters above sea level. It was part of an ambitious system of defence that dominated a large area in Garfagnana.
It was initially made up of two strongholds, the square stronghold to the south and the round one to the north, which were linked to one another in the XVI century by means of long walls that encircled the entire hilltop.
Its dominating position on the hill gives us the opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful panorama of Garagnana.
ilmelogranonano.com