Lunigiana.
Go to Lunigiana and experience a world, a journey back in time. Like a fable, a hidden mechanism opens a secret door and you arrive in a landscape suspended in the past, there for those who want to feel its charm. Wherever you look you learn. Seize the moments of history that this lunar valley has left for visitors to inherit. And this land, green with chestnut and beech trees and scoured by clear waters, has seen many a traveller. This has always been its destiny, it is a passageway and a border, and thus a land to defend. So thought the Romans, the founders of Luni, and so believed those later, who secured a route to the sea through the Via Francigena.
This is why there are castles, fortresses and fortified villages defining these horizons.
Several still remain, but in feudal times, when enemies were everywhere to be seen and the small feuds fought for supremacy, there were around one hundred and sixty.
The ones remaining bear witness to these bygone times for those who wish to listen.
Their voices are ever fascinating for those used to hearing the whispers of noble and secret cities.
Their thousand-year-old stories still leave you spellbound.
Just think of the mystery surrounding the prehistoric stele statues and you will shiver at the sight of these sculpted and stylised stone idols.
Divinities or chiefs, symbols or armed warriors with their ornate and prosperous women.
This mystery is still open, the enigma still to be solved.
Once upon a time this was a land of thoroughfare and hence of communication and welcome for travellers and so it is today for visitors.
Its hospitable and singular inhabitants, who feel neither Tuscan, Ligurian nor Emilian, have created a basic, balanced and tasty cuisine.
You will discover testaroli and panigacci, olive oil honey and wines such as the famous Candia, another pleasant wayto get to know this enchanting valley.