Farnocchia between mountain trails, history and summer festivals

Farnocchia between mountains and history

Farnocchia combines mountain trails, sacred art, traces of history and a summer festival tradition. Farnocchia can serve as both the starting point and the endpoint of a circular hike.

Monte Gabberi and trails through the landscape

Monte Gabberi can be reached on foot from Farnocchia in 40 to 50 minutes. At 1,108 metres, it is considered a natural terrace above the sea; from there, the view stretches from the Gulf of La Spezia via Livorno to the island of Gorgona. The walking time to Monte Gabberi should not be equated with the duration of the circular hike described; for day planning, the two figures should be considered separately.

The trails follow different routes from Farnocchia: CAI Trail 114 connects Valdicastello, Sant’Anna, the Foce di Farnocchia, Farnocchia and Culerchia near Le Mulina, while CAI Trail 114A begins in Farnocchia at the junction by the Marginetta di Cima alle Selve, continues via Pietralunga at Monte Gabberi and then leads to Il Callare. When planning CAI Trail 114A, the junction by the Marginetta di Cima alle Selve is part of the starting point. A circular hike begins in Farnocchia, leads via Monte Gabberi and the Foce di Farnocchia to Monte Lieto, and returns to Farnocchia. This tour is rated difficulty level E and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. The approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes refers to the entire circular route. Additional breaks need to be added to this time when planning the day; the return to Farnocchia is already included in the described route.

Church, mining and local history

The Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Farnocchia is believed to date from before the year 1000. It has five altars decorated with multicoloured inlaid marble. The church also contains a ciborium created by Lorenzo Stagi in 1497, which is now used as a baptismal font.

In 1349, silver lead and antimony were mined in the municipality of Farnocchia at Bottino and Cuor della Vena. Farnocchia Castle, believed to have been located between the hamlets of Broto, Le Piastre and Cerro, was destroyed by Lucca in 1202 because of its loyalty to the Cattani and rebuilt almost immediately. The Filarmonica di Santa Cecilia was founded in Farnocchia in 1850.

Summer tradition and orientation

The Sagra del Magnifico Tordello takes place every year in Farnocchia during almost the entire summer.

Farnocchia can be reached by car and on foot. The Farnocchia–Sant’Anna route is part of the Sentieri Alta Versilia; the same trail can be taken from Farnocchia to Sant’Anna di Stazzema. There you will find the Museo Storico della Resistenza di Sant’Anna di Stazzema in the building of the town’s former primary school, near the church square at Via Coletti 22.

Discover more places

If you would like to compare other places at the same destination level: Culla, Retignano, Palagnana, Terrinca, Levigliani.

For the overview of the higher-level destination: Stazzema.