Vallico Di Sopra – Mountain Village, History and Trails in the Garfagnana

Vallico di Sopra is a small mountain settlement in the Garfagnana at an altitude of 652 metres above sea level. It lies on a verdant hill facing the Turrite Cava river landscape; the houses are fully oriented towards the sun. Here, you will find a place where mountain landscapes, views and historically shaped traces in the architecture reveal different sides of the same journey.

Mountain Road, Valley Views and Marked Trails

Vallico di Sopra is accessible by car. The mountain road to Vallico di Sopra offers views over the Turrite Cava valley and makes the journey there part of the landscape experience from the outset. The mountain road marks the transition from the approach to the settlement.

The Sentiero del Lupo is a marked circular trail with information panels about the life of wolves and CAI trail markers. It runs along the paths of Vallico di Sotto and Vallico di Sopra as well as through the mountain pastures of Monte Palodina. As a circular trail, the Sentiero del Lupo returns to the starting point.

Caves and Archaeological Traces

The Buca di Castelvenere is a natural cave with a large, impressive natural entrance that can be reached via a footpath. The Grotta di Castelvenere lies at the foot of Monte Penna near Vallico di Sopra. Archaeological finds from this cave indicate that it was a place of fertility worship. The footpath to the Buca di Castelvenere should be taken into account when planning the time needed for your visit.

A Village with a Long History

Vallico di Sopra is one of the oldest villages in the Garfagnana. The area around Vallico di Sopra was already inhabited by the Ligurian-Apuani in the 5th century BCE and was colonised by the Romans around the 2nd to 1st century BCE. Roman colonisation followed the settlement of the Ligurian-Apuani chronologically. Vallico di Sopra has preserved the features of a medieval village. Its historic houses include buildings with sandstone portals and windowsills, whose material and design make the character of the village clearly visible.

Individual religious buildings also complement the historic character. The parish church of San Michele Arcangelo outside Vallico di Sopra has a Romanesque layout that may date from the 12th century. In the village centre is the Oratorio di San Rocco, which dates from the 17th century. Depending on your personal interests, you can therefore make medieval village features, sandstone details, a Romanesque church layout or an early modern oratory the focus of your visit to Vallico di Sopra.

Summer Event and Tuscan Speciality

The summer events in Vallico di Sopra include the gastronomic, musical and cultural event “Necci, Migliecci e Pitonca”. Necci, a Tuscan speciality made from chestnut flour, are served at this event. Alongside the trails and buildings, the combination of regional history, landscape and local cuisine gives a trip to Vallico di Sopra a clear culinary dimension.

For the overarching travel overview: Fabbriche Di Vallico.