Photo © Davide Papalini

Pieve Fosciana

A village in the Garfagnana that loves the tricolour and surrounds a historic parish church

Pieve Fosciana is a town in the Garfagnan that extends across the Pieve Plain at the foot of the Apennines. The village owes its name to the Latin word Fuscus, which is probably in reference to an ancient Roman governor of the area. The same plane on which the village sits maintained this name for centuries, which in turn was combined with the most important ‘Pieve,’ or parish church, in the village.

The first historical traces date back to the 8th century when the village was the site of a Lombard settlement. Since then, the village church was a parish, an evangelical centre of worship, on which a large area of the Garfagnana depended, and where believers from neighbouring towns would travel to for centuries. According to legend, the parish church was named after San Frediano, the renown 6th-century bishop of Lucca who founded it.

What to see in Pieve Fosciana

In the 11th century, the town was known as Plebes de Fosciana. Around this period, the Parish Church of San Giovanni Battista was built in a Romanesque style, and can still be admired to this day. Inside, it preserves several artworks, including the Annunciation by Andrea della Robbia, canvas paintings by Pietro Paolini from Lucca and Antonio Consetti from Modena, as well as a 16th-century sacristy.

In the 15th century, the municipality of Pieve Fosciana broke away from Lucca, preferring to be ruled by the Este dynasty. In 1831 the tricolour flag was displayed for the first time in Tuscany. At the end of World War II, for over seven months, Pieve Fosciana found itself in the immediate vicinity of the Gothic Line, enduring artillery and aerial bombing. On April 20th, 1945, the tricolour flag was once again waved above the centuries-old bell tower, perhaps the first on the Gothic Line.

Other monuments that deserve a visit are the Church of San Magno, the Sillico Tower and the still-functioning historic watermill, which has belonged to the Regoli family for five generations. The village still has a small thermal pool, used by several locals from the area for regenerating baths and showers, believing the waters to be an excellent cure against rheumatism.

Nearby

Garfagnana is an area that's rich in history and greenery, bordered by the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. You can also discover the city of Barga, a lovely medieval village which, thanks to its artistic heritage, is part of the national Bandiere Arancioni list (Orange Flags). Don't miss a visit to the Cathedral which can be reached via stone steps that reach an incredible panoramic view that makes it well worth the effort!

The tour continues to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, another small historic center that deserves a stop. The famous poet Ludovico Ariosto lived here for a period of time as governor of the Este province of Garfagnana, to which the Ariostesca fortress was dedicated. Additionally, Castelnuovo is an ideal starting point from where to being exploring the naturalistic beauties of the Orecchiella Park.

If you love to venture into the mountains, finish your itinerary in Molazzana, a paradise for the most passionate mountaineers and hikers with its Pania Secca and Pizzo delle Saette peaks which exceed 1700 meters.

Events

Among the numerous events that take place in Pieve Fosciana is the traditional Tasting Walk that takes place in early August. During those days, it's possible to experience the rural traditions of the area and taste exquisite local specialties, prepared according to centuries-old recipes.

Typical dishes and products

In Pieve Fosciana, you can taste typical dishes of the Garfagnana that are based on Farro della Garfagnana IGP or Neccio flour from Garfagnana DOP. This is also where cinchona elixer from Pieve Fosciana was created, a liqueur with a bitter-sweet taste and a transparent red colour that contains 14 medicinal herbs, including cinchona bark.