Stop off in the welcoming town of Villafranca in Lunigiana during your next holiday road trip through Massa Carrara province in Tuscany. This quaint little commune is located along the famous pilgrim route to Rome called Via Francigena. Stay for a few days here in a holiday villa and enjoy the atmosphere of this region.
Villafranca in Lunigiana is in fact a collection of seven little villages called Mocrone, Virgoletta, Merizzo, Irola, Malgrate , Fornoli and Filetto. Fornoli is a restful haven for weary travellers walking along the nearby Via Francigena and also offers splendid views of the Val di Magra in which it’s located.
Malgrate is one of the oldest hamlets in the Lunigiana area and is dominated by an ancient fortress and high tower. If you’re passing through the Villafranca in Lunigiana area on the 5th December then you’d love to witness the magical candlelit procession of townsfolk in the streets to celebrate the eve of St. Nicolas. These candles will then light the specially prepared bonfire outside the town.
Villafranca in Lunigiana is in fact a collection of seven little villages called Mocrone, Virgoletta, Merizzo, Irola, Malgrate , Fornoli and Filetto. Fornoli is a restful haven for weary travellers walking along the nearby Via Francigena and also offers splendid views of the Val di Magra in which it’s located.
Malgrate is one of the oldest hamlets in the Lunigiana area and is dominated by an ancient fortress and high tower. If you’re passing through the Villafranca in Lunigiana area on the 5th December then you’d love to witness the magical candlelit procession of townsfolk in the streets to celebrate the eve of St. Nicolas. These candles will then light the specially prepared bonfire outside the town.
Less than nine kilometres away from Villafranca in Lunigiana is the hilltop town of Bagnone. This commune is actually a municipality of little medieval villages and hamlets including Mochignano and Vico.
Bagnone is part of the National Park of the Apennines and is a beautiful tranquil place to visit. The trickling River Bagnone and its tributary streams flow through Bagnone and its frazioni. Walk along the winding paths beside these streams and photograph the picturesque waterfalls and little pools along their journey.
Go on an interesting tour of the castles in the Bagnone area including Castle Jera, Castle Treschietto and Castle Bagnone. Learn about their history and influence in protecting this area of Massa Carrara province.
Bagnone is part of the National Park of the Apennines and is a beautiful tranquil place to visit. The trickling River Bagnone and its tributary streams flow through Bagnone and its frazioni. Walk along the winding paths beside these streams and photograph the picturesque waterfalls and little pools along their journey.
Go on an interesting tour of the castles in the Bagnone area including Castle Jera, Castle Treschietto and Castle Bagnone. Learn about their history and influence in protecting this area of Massa Carrara province.
Bagnone is well known for its production of sweet onions in the hamlet of Treschietto which are used in many delicious local pasta and potato dishes. Taste the rich flavours of the Bagnone area in the chestnut and mushroom festival hosted here every year. Both foods can be found in abundance in the surrounding chestnut woods.
Visit Bagnone and Villafranca in Lunigiana on your next vacation to Massa Carrara province in Tuscany and enjoy all the attractions ad sights they have to offer!
Visit Bagnone and Villafranca in Lunigiana on your next vacation to Massa Carrara province in Tuscany and enjoy all the attractions ad sights they have to offer!
Photo credits
picture 1: Marrabbio2 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Marrabbio2 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Davide Papalini / CC BY-SA 3.0
