From the mountain to the sea
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a fort town that is easy to get to from both Lucca and the beaches of Versilia. Under the dominion of the Estensi it reached its maximum splendor, which is now celebrated during the "medieval festivities" in August. You can go through the old part of the city on motorcycle any day of the week except Thursday morning, when it is reserved for the market of "banquets". In medieval times people used to exchange foods and animals and soldiers were recruited here for adventures. It was so important to the town that in order not to disturb the tradition, a law forbade that anyone got arrested on that day.
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is a fort town that is easy to get to from both Lucca and the beaches of Versilia. Under the dominion of the Estensi it reached its maximum splendor, which is now celebrated during the "medieval festivities" in August. You can go through the old part of the city on motorcycle any day of the week except Thursday morning, when it is reserved for the market of "banquets". In medieval times people used to exchange foods and animals and soldiers were recruited here for adventures. It was so important to the town that in order not to disturb the tradition, a law forbade that anyone got arrested on that day.
Just beyond Castelnuovo, you will see the Fortezza del Duca Alfonso with its seven towers and the wonderful "Ariosto Walkway". We now head towards the sea; the SP13 unwinds on a narrow road with no midway, but with quite a bit of forest. Be careful of the asphalt as it is often dirty and slippery. A typical low valley road, this is a fun drive: there are twists and turns and every so often a tight curve.
You then get to Isola Santa, with a dyke and artificial lake that reflect this vain town: historically it was a place for travelers to recover after passing through the Foce di Mosceta, a communicating road between Versilia and Garfagnana. Visit the Church of San Jacopo, once a hospital for pilgrims and built in 1260.
Just beyond Castelnuovo, you will see the Fortezza del Duca Alfonso with its seven towers and the wonderful "Ariosto Walkway". We now head towards the sea; the SP13 unwinds on a narrow road with no midway, but with quite a bit of forest. Be careful of the asphalt as it is often dirty and slippery. A typical low valley road, this is a fun drive: there are twists and turns and every so often a tight curve.
You then get to Isola Santa, with a dyke and artificial lake that reflect this vain town: historically it was a place for travelers to recover after passing through the Foce di Mosceta, a communicating road between Versilia and Garfagnana. Visit the Church of San Jacopo, once a hospital for pilgrims and built in 1260.
Parco Regionale delle Apuane is true wilderness. At the intersection for Arni, the Passo del Vestito imposes a strict choice. Either climb the opposite side and head for the SP10 which in less than 30 km will bring you to Forte dei Marmi. Or, crossing through the narrow tunnel of the Cipollaio the road becomes even more fun and dangerous to just the right degree. Farther ahead, on the left, watch out for the intersection for Levignani which leads to the fascinating Antro del Corchia: with 53 km of tunnels and wells, it is considered the largest national carsico ipogeo.
Parco Regionale delle Apuane is true wilderness. At the intersection for Arni, the Passo del Vestito imposes a strict choice. Either climb the opposite side and head for the SP10 which in less than 30 km will bring you to Forte dei Marmi. Or, crossing through the narrow tunnel of the Cipollaio the road becomes even more fun and dangerous to just the right degree. Farther ahead, on the left, watch out for the intersection for Levignani which leads to the fascinating Antro del Corchia: with 53 km of tunnels and wells, it is considered the largest national carsico ipogeo.
You then reach Seravezza, a town that gave its name to the two rivers that cross it: the Serra and the Vezza. On the right is the beautiful Villa Medicea: once the summer home of the Medici family, today the building hosts the Museum of Rural Work and Traditions in Historic Versilia, with hundreds of exhibits that narrate the typical work activities of the territory during the Medici era.
You then reach Seravezza, a town that gave its name to the two rivers that cross it: the Serra and the Vezza. On the right is the beautiful Villa Medicea: once the summer home of the Medici family, today the building hosts the Museum of Rural Work and Traditions in Historic Versilia, with hundreds of exhibits that narrate the typical work activities of the territory during the Medici era.
Take a walk along the sea between Forte and Marina di Massa, and then, as promised, take the road to the hills following the signs for Massa. Here you can see the Castle of Malaspina, which then leads to the torturous climb of the Passo del Vestito. From the town of Antagnana your gaze will fall on Antona, and viceversa, and then get ready for a web of turns that bring you to the end of this itinerary. The panorama opens up and eventually you will be able to see Massa.
Take a walk along the sea between Forte and Marina di Massa, and then, as promised, take the road to the hills following the signs for Massa. Here you can see the Castle of Malaspina, which then leads to the torturous climb of the Passo del Vestito. From the town of Antagnana your gaze will fall on Antona, and viceversa, and then get ready for a web of turns that bring you to the end of this itinerary. The panorama opens up and eventually you will be able to see Massa.