Gorfigliano: Marble, Churches and Trails on Monte Pisanino

Gorfigliano lies at the foot of Monte Pisanino and stretches along the Acqua Bianca valley at an elevation of 690 metres above sea level. The original settlement of Gorfigliano developed around a castle of Lombard origin on Casa Hill, which still bears this name today.

Marble as a historical reference

Since 1900, the history of Gorfigliano has been closely linked to marble quarrying in the Acqua Bianca marble basin. The name Acqua Bianca refers both to the valley and to the marble basin. In Gorfigliano, marble quarrying can be considered a distinct historical subject alongside the history of the settlement and its churches.

The Old Settlement Area

The ancient settlement of Gorfigliano was permanently abandoned after the 1920 earthquake. The old cemetery and the Chiesa Vecchia are located in the former settlement area of Gorfigliano. The old cemetery and the Chiesa Vecchia belong to the same abandoned settlement area.

Churches and Sacred Art

The Chiesa Vecchia was restored and expanded in the 1980s through the work of a group of local volunteers. The Chiesa dei Santi Giusto e Clemente was built between 1933 and 1935. It houses stone altars and other furnishings that previously belonged to the Chiesa Vecchia. The Chiesa dei Santi Giusto e Clemente was built decades before the restoration of the Chiesa Vecchia.

At Gorfigliano's new cemetery, the Cappella Pancetti houses a fresco by Pietro Annigoni depicting the dying Christ. The fresco is therefore located in the Cappella Pancetti at the new cemetery, not in either of the two churches.

Traditions Throughout the Year

Gorfigliano's local traditions include the Madonnina dei Cavatori festival and the Natalecci. The Madonnina dei Cavatori festival is closely associated with the local marble quarries and takes place on the first Sunday in August. The Natalecci tradition involves building tall cylindrical structures from branches woven around a tall pole; they are burned at 6 p.m. on 24 December. When planning a trip, the two fixed dates can be clearly distinguished: the festival on the first Sunday in August and Natalecci on 24 December at 6 p.m.

Sentiero CAI 36 and the Marble Road

The Sentiero CAI 36 begins on the road south of Gorfigliano, branches off at a tunnel and runs entirely along the Marble Road to the Cave della Focolaccia. Beyond the Rifugio Aronte, it continues towards Foce della Vettolina and Canale Carignano as far as Forno. The turn-off at a tunnel comes before the route continues along the Marble Road. Anyone planning to follow the Sentiero CAI 36 should consider not only the starting point south of Gorfigliano but also the continuation beyond the Rifugio Aronte.

Other Places for Orientation

For your further travel planning, you can also include Bagni Di Lucca, Piazza Al Serchio, Fabbriche Di Vallico, Giuncugnano, Marlia, Minucciano, Gramolazzo and Capannori as well.

For the broader travel overview: Lucca.