The village of Caprigliola is perched on a hill near the valley base of the Magra River, in Aulla and dominates the area’s commercial routes that once wound through the valley to the harbor of Luni and Bocca di Magra.
The first records of castrum Caprigliola date back to the 12th century. In 1185, Federico I granted Caprigliola as a fief to Luni’s bishop, Pietro, and his successors. The hamlet had already been fortified at the time, vaunted impressive city walls and was the summer residence for the Bishops of Luni, a building whose remains and elegant cylindrical tower are still visible today. The bishop’s complex occupied the upper part of the hills and was flanked by the imposing 18th-century Church of San Niccolò, whose construction absorbed the older Castrense center. In 1401, Caprigliola, Albiano e Stadano were ceded to Florence.
In 1556, by order of Cosimo de’ Medici, the Florentines added fortified walls to the small town, which serves as proof of the outpost’s strategic role throughout history. The majestic bastions are well preserved, and besides those, you can also admire the 16th-century gate, a few Medici coats of arms and beautiful archways.
Of great interest, also from the point of view of folklore and landscape, is the illumination with which the town celebrates the patron saint Madonna del Buon Consiglio. On that occasion the village is illuminated, taking the shape of a large ship suspended in darkness.
Caprigliola is also the village of poetry: its "Versi Murati", the result of the festival of the same name, creates a unique and valuable literary journey along its streets.
The Caprigliola territory is included in the Colli di Luni D.O.C. area.
