Camporgiano: Serchio Valley, Hiking Trails and Fortress Walls

Between the Serchio and the mountain ranges

Camporgiano lies on the right bank of the Serchio River in a very green valley between the mountain ranges of the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. Around Camporgiano, the hilly landscape, dense chestnut forests, farmland and extensive meadows on terraced terrain shape the landscape. The terraced farmland and extensive meadows provide a tangible place for agricultural use in the valley. Spelt is widely cultivated in Camporgiano. For landscape planning in Camporgiano, the banks of the Serchio, the terraces, the chestnut forests and the farmland serve as concrete points of reference.

Historic trails with relevance today

Today, the Via Vandelli is a major hiking trail approximately 150 kilometres long. The historic Via Vandelli trade route also runs through the Camporgiano area. The approximate total length of 150 kilometres refers to the modern hiking trail; the section through the Camporgiano area is part of this route. When planning a hike in Camporgiano, the stated length should therefore be understood as the length of the entire trail, not as a local day hike. A stage around the town remains one section of the longer Via Vandelli.

Camporgiano lies on the Via del Volto Santo, one of the best-known branches of the Via Francigena and an alternative to the route established by Bishop Sigeric of Canterbury. When planning routes in Camporgiano, the Via del Volto Santo should therefore be treated as an alternative, not as identical to Sigeric's route.

Fortress, walls and historic ceramics

At the Rocca degli Estensi in Camporgiano, some sections of the medieval walls have been preserved; they formed the oldest core of the fortification. The Civica raccolta di ceramiche rinascimentali commemorates the old Este fortress.

The Church of San Biagio stands in Al Poggio, in the municipality of Camporgiano, and is one of the oldest churches in the Garfagnana. The Rocca degli Estensi, the ceramics collection and San Biagio in Al Poggio lead to different historic sites within the municipality, without requiring their respective associations to be treated as equivalent.

Folklore in public spaces

The first edition of the Festival Internazionale del Folclore di Camporgiano took place in 1972; since 1978, the festival has been held annually. The Festival Internazionale del Folclore takes place during the last ten days of July in the municipal amphitheatre, as well as in the streets and squares of Camporgiano.

The festival includes performances featuring dances, folk songs, and staged presentations of rituals and distinctive features of folk tradition. Anyone who includes the festival in their stay should take into account not only the last ten days of July but also several venues. The municipal amphitheatre is not the only setting; the streets and squares of Camporgiano are also part of the festival.

Other direct destinations include Filicaia and Casciana.

Other destinations

Other places in the same destination:

San Romano In Garfagnana, Vergemoli, Pescaglia, Capannori, Altopascio.

To the higher-level destination overview: Lucca.