Arcola: Churches, Torre Obertenga and Oasi Arcola

Arcola between sacred architecture and landscapes

Arcola can be explored through its sacred architecture, medieval buildings and protected landscapes. A notable cultural site is the Pieve dei Santi Stefano e Margherita, a two-aisled church with Gothic columns and arches. The Oasi Arcola offers a different perspective: it forms part of the SIC IT1343502 Parco della Magra – Vara protected area. For your travel planning, this makes Arcola a place where historic buildings and a designated natural area can be considered as distinct areas of interest.

Torre Obertenga and the MAP

The pentagonal Torre Obertenga was built by the Obertenghi family in the 11th century. It features Romanesque-Byzantine architectural forms with Pisan elements and is also a national monument. Since June 2023, the Torre Obertenga has housed the MAP Museo Arti e Paesaggi. Those interested in architecture and contemporary culture will find several interconnected points of interest here: a historic tower, a clearly identifiable architectural history and an exhibition housed in the same building.

Churches with a history of their own

The Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo also adds to Arcola's cultural profile. It was built in the 16th century over an older Romanesque building. The Pieve also houses a tempera crucifix on wood dated 1456. Architectural history and a single, clearly dated work of art come together here in direct connection.

Further sacred heritage can be found in the outlying districts. The Chiesa di Sant'Anna in the Cerri district preserves three paintings from the Genoese school dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. The Oratorio di Nostra Signora della Neve was built in the second half of the 16th century in the Ville-Monti district. The Santuario di Nostra Signora degli Angeli was built at the site where, according to tradition, an apparition of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred on 21 May 1556.

Nature area and trails

The Oasi Arcola is a 34-hectare protected natural area in the municipality of Arcola, in the province of La Spezia. Under an agreement with the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Park and the Municipality of Arcola, it is managed by the Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli. Alongside the churches and buildings, this gives the town a clearly defined natural feature as another central theme.

Two different route details are relevant for hiking and walking. Sentiero 401 runs from Trebiano via Ressora to Arcola and is called Via delle Pievi. Sentiero 403 connects Ponte di Arcola, the Pieve di Baccano and the link to the AVG. If you would like to combine trails and cultural attractions, you can include these routes as separate options in your personal planning.

Planning visits to cultural sites

A reservation form is available for visiting the MAP Museo Arti e Paesaggi. The MAP exhibition is open to visitors from Monday to Friday mornings, between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The Santuario di Nostra Signora degli Angeli is open for visits during the day. The combination of sacred spaces, historic buildings and the exhibition in the Torre Obertenga is particularly suited to travellers who want to explore architecture, art and religious history together.

Further destinations for your travel planning include Castello, Piana Battolla, Cerreta, Monterosso Al Mare, Bracelli, Sorbolo, Ameglia and L'ago.

For the main travel overview: La Spezia.