Levigliani: Marble, Mining and Monte Corchia

Levigliani lies among beech and chestnut forests below Monte Corchia and within the Parco delle Alpi Apuane. The village therefore combines a mountain landscape with a history of caves, marble and mining. If, on your trip to Italy, you do not want to consider nature experiences and culture separately, you will find several themes here that can be considered alongside one another when planning.

Caves and Marble at Monte Corchia

The Antro del Corchia karst system comprises around 70 kilometres of explored and mapped caves, as well as up to 20 different entrances. The guided tour of the Antro del Corchia follows a steel walkway approximately 2,000 metres long and lasts around two hours. Those interested in geology and underground landscapes can distinguish here between the vast scale of the system and the clearly defined framework of the tour.

The tour of the marble quarries starts in the village of Levigliani, returns there and lasts around two hours. Restored Italian military vehicles with four-wheel drive, converted for civilian use, are used for the visit. The Museo della Pietra Piegata provides an overview of the development of marble craftsmanship, from roughly worked objects to finely inlaid works and sacred pieces.

Mining, Museums and Archaeological Traces

The mercury mines of Levigliani are considered the oldest mining site in Upper Tuscany; they were first mentioned in 1153 in a document from Pisa. The part open to visitors comprises an ancient section showing primitive extraction techniques, as well as a later section with a rail system for mine carts, regarded as evidence of industrial archaeology.

The “Lavorare Liberi” Museum conveys the economic and social history of Levigliani through objects, documents and eyewitness accounts. A cist grave of the Liguri Apuani from a necropolis in the surrounding area is exhibited in Levigliani. Together, these cultural-historical themes range from early mining through industrial development and local history to an archaeological trace of the past.

Hiking and Guided Trails

From Levigliani, hiking trails lead through beech forests to mountain huts and panoramic peaks in the surrounding mountains. A guided tour of the Gothic Line lasting approximately four and a half hours begins and ends in Levigliani and leads to defensive trenches on Monte Corchia. You can take the different route lengths and durations into account when planning your day and give different weight to nature, mining or culture.

Getting There and Choosing Where to Stay

By car, Levigliani can be reached via the Strada Provinciale d’Arni. The road passes through Seravezza and Ruosina and continues beyond the village of Retignano. If you choose accommodation based on the experiences you have planned, Levigliani is particularly relevant as a base for the marble quarry tour and the Gothic Line: both tours begin in Levigliani and return there. This allows you to specifically connect the village with these two experiences when choosing your hotel.

Other places for trip planning: Palagnana, Retignano, Farnocchia, Culla, Terrinca.

For the higher-level travel overview: Stazzema.