|  Exploring the area
The best way to see the Lunigiana and admire its superb scenery
is on foot, especially in the autumn when the leaves turn
golden, the smoke from the wood fires hovers above the houses
and mushrooms abound in the woods. A circular tour in thirteen
stages starting from Aulla comprises portions of both the
Apennines and the Apuan Alps. The route follows the old paths
across the hillsides that linked medieval villages, country
churches, mills and lookout towers. These are easy routes,
ideal for spring, autumn and even winter. The villages have
unmanned posti tap-pa (providing basic accommodation), although
it's also possible to stay in small hotels and sample the
local cuisine in country trat-torie. The tour may be done
on horseback, breaking the journey at the numerous stables
in the area (information: Communita montana della Lunigiana,
Via Pietro Cocchi 36, Pontremoli,
tel. 0178 33045; 0178 33594). The Magra Valley is ideal for
anglers, who will find the rivers and lakes well stocked
with trout. Cyclists can also enjoy themselves: from Aulla
to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana passengers can take their bicycles
on the trains. The mountains of Fivizzano, Vinca and Monzone
are ideal for free climbing, while it's possible to descend
various stretches of the Magra and the
Signposting for walkers in the Apuan Alps Taverone by Canoe.
People as protagonists
Visitors to the Apuan Alps, Lunigiana and Garfagnana will
find their stay all the more fascinating thanks to the area's
rich heritage of popular traditions. In addition, throughout
the year, there are numerous cultural events, all of considerable
interest, involving art, music and literature. For instance,
in the field of literature, Pontremoli has the Premio Bancarella
in July and Pietrasanta is internationally famous for its
art exhibitions. The village festivals and fairs are often
reminders for the local people of important periods in their
history or opportunities to revive their relationship, which
has never been wholly interrupted, with the rural environment.
Thus, for example, in the first ten days of August, Filetto
is transformed into the venue of a medieval market as part
of an event known as "La via dei mercati". For
two weekends, during the medieval fan-devoted to the crafts
and gastronomic specialities of the Lunigiana, craftsmen's
workshops are reconstructed where leather, wood, iron and
stone are worked and pottery is made: the local people dress
in traditional costume and shows and concerts related to
the theme are held in the square. Another tradition, which,
after being abandoned in recent years, is now being revived
is that of the "Maggio",
theatrical performances held in the open, just outside the
villages, to celebrate the beginning of spring and the rebirth
of the vegetation. Religious festivals are particularly important,
with events such as the passion-play at Fivizzano on Good
Friday or creches with living figures found in various places
in the Garfagnana and the Lunigiana. |
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