Vagli Sotto: Lago di Vagli, Suspension Bridge and Garfagnana Culture

Vagli Sotto combines Lago di Vagli with distinctive experiences, regional history and the landscape of the Garfagnana.

Lake, Shore and Ponte Sospeso

Lago di Vagli is an artificial lake created in 1947 when the dam on the Edron River was raised. The Parco dell’Onore e del Disonore is located on the lakeshore. It features more than twenty monumental marble statues dedicated to figures from contemporary history. The Bioparco del Lago di Vagli also includes a long lakeside promenade.

A remarkable structure in Vagli is the Ponte Sospeso. The 132-metre-long suspension bridge connects the two shores of Lago di Vagli, is designed for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and is one of the largest in Europe. Its central section features a glass floor above the lake.

Volo dell’Angelo and Local Orientation

The Volo dell’Angelo zipline runs for 1,500 metres over Lago di Vagli, at a height of around 350 metres and at speeds of up to 150 km/h. The meeting point is at the VagliPark ticket office in Vagli Sotto, at the intersection of Strada Provinciale 50 and Via Europa. Guests who have booked the Volo dell’Angelo are taken by bus from VagliPark to the launch area.

History by the Lake and in the Town

The creation of the lake is also connected with the history of the flooded villages: Fabbriche di Careggine was flooded by Lago di Vagli in 1953; the villages of Pantane and Piari were also flooded in the same event. In Vagli Sotto, the church of Sant’Agostino dates back to the 11th century and has remained practically unchanged to this day.

Campocatino and the Regional Landscape

Campocatino is a glacial basin located at an altitude of around 1,000 metres, with a large meadow at the foot of Monte Roccandagia. Due to its numerous bird species, Campocatino has been a LIPU nature oasis since 1991.

Trails, Marble and Local Cuisine

In the wider area around Vagli Sotto, the Via Vandelli runs from Vagli di Sopra to Passo della Tambura and then descends to Resceto. In Arnetola, the Museo della tecnica estrattiva delle cave di marmo documents the social and technological development of marble quarrying. The Casa Abrami Museum is located on the access road to Vagli Sotto.

Garfagnana cuisine is also part of the character of the region. IGP spelt is an important ingredient in spelt soup, which is prepared with potatoes, beans and occasionally a few Swiss chard leaves. Biroldo is a traditional sausage speciality of the Garfagnana, made mainly from pig’s head and spices.

Other Places

Other places: Villa Basilica, Careggine, Porcari, Minucciano, Barga, Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Campolemisi and Verciano.

To the main travel overview: Lucca.