Piano di Follo: History, Nature Park and Regional Events

Piano di Follo has a distinctly historical starting point: the town developed from the medieval settlement of San Martino. This gives you a destination with several distinct points of interest: cultural history, natural surroundings, outdoor activities, regional cuisine and events. This combination is particularly appealing if, during a trip to Italy, you are not looking for just one main focus but want to combine different aspects of a place.

San Martino and Sacred Architectural History

The Pieve di San Martino in Piano di Follo is traditionally dated to the year 960 and attributed to French pilgrims. The enclosing walls, traces of two original naves, a façade with a portal and monolithic architrave, and a massive square bell tower remain from the first pieve. The pieve also preserves four large 15th-century frescoes. For travelers interested in culture, its appeal lies in the combination of its early date, recognizable architectural elements and surviving paintings. The pieve is a specific highlight if you are interested in architectural and local history.

Historic Routes and Spatial Connections

The route connections also date back a long way. The Via di San Martino is documented in the year 1000 and connected Piano di Follo with Montalbano via the Val Durasca. From Piano di Follo to Piana Battolla, a provincial road continues westward toward Beverino and the Aurelia, and eastward toward Ceparana and Albiano. Another provincial road leads from Piano di Follo uphill through the Val Durasca and ends above the city of La Spezia at the Aurelia.

Nature and Outdoor Activities in Follo

The municipality of Follo lies within the Montemarcello–Magra–Vara Regional Nature Park. Piano di Follo has municipal green spaces equipped as parks and play areas for children; they also include facilities for roller skating and dancing. Another opportunity for outdoor activity is the Ippovia nel Parco riding trail. It is 16 kilometers long, runs from Sarzana (Bradiola) to Calice al Cornoviglio, and passes through Arcola, Santo Stefano di Magra, Vezzano Ligure, Bolano and Follo.

Regional Cuisine and Events

The Fiera di Sant'Isidoro adds another distinct facet: its stalls offer typical regional foods. The Grande Fiera di Sant'Isidoro in Piano di Follo includes exhibitions, tournaments and sports demonstrations. Piano di Follo also hosts a general goods fair with a livestock exhibition and a painting exhibition. If you include regional cuisine, events and different forms of public life in your travel plans, you will find several different areas of interest here.

Orientation in the Town Center

In the town center is the Viale della Rimembranza di Follo, an approximately 200-meter-long urban avenue. It includes a roadway with pedestrian traffic, as well as two wide sidewalks.

More Places for Your Travel Plans

For your further travel plans, you can also explore Volastra, Castello, Ameglia, Borghetto Di Vara, Vernazza, Ceparana, Carrodano and Castelnuovo Magra.

For the overarching travel overview: La Spezia.