Aulla between the Via Francigena and Lunigiana
Aulla is located in Lunigiana on a narrow strip of land at the confluence of the Magra River and the Aulella stream. Aulla lies a few kilometres from the border with Liguria. The narrow strip of land at the confluence forms the town’s immediate geographical setting.
For arriving in Aulla, it is relevant that the town is connected to the Parma–La Spezia and Aulla–Lucca railway lines. The two railway lines complement the location between the Magra, Aulella and the border with Liguria with specific transport connections.
Church, museum and fortress
The Church of San Caprasio was founded in 884 by Adalberto I, Marquis of Tuscany, and dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. The chapter house of the San Caprasio monastery houses a pilgrims’ museum with archaeological finds from the Roman, early medieval and medieval periods. Culture enthusiasts can choose between different focal points in Aulla, including the pilgrims’ museum, natural history collections and Renaissance fortress.
The Museo di Storia Naturale della Lunigiana comprises botanical, zoological and mineralogical collections. The Fortezza della Brunella is an imposing Renaissance fortress in Aulla, in the province of Massa-Carrara and in Lunigiana. The rooftop garden at the Fortezza della Brunella offers impressive views over Lunigiana, the Apennines and the Apuan Alps.
The Via Francigena in Aulla
The Via Francigena passed through Aulla as a pilgrimage route; during this period, it also served as a trade route through Aulla. From Aulla, travellers can use the Via Francigena on the Aulla–Pontremoli (Stage 23) and Aulla–Sarzana (Stage 24) sections on foot or by bicycle. The route in Aulla therefore has both religious and economic-historical significance.
The two sections offer travellers a choice between the directions of Pontremoli and Sarzana. The route to Pontremoli and the one to Sarzana belong to the same Via Francigena through Aulla. Both sections can be used on foot or by bicycle. When selecting a section, the desired direction initially determines the choice between Pontremoli and Sarzana; whether travelling on foot or by bicycle remains independent of this choice.
A historical look at Pallerone
Castello di Pallerone is located in Lunigiana, a luxurious 17th-century residence that belonged to the Malaspina marquises of Olivola-Pallerone. The Castello has a late-17th-century salon decorated with frescoes depicting mythological scenes and scenes from everyday life at the time. For culture enthusiasts, the dating of Castello di Pallerone to the 17th century provides a different historical reference point from the foundation of San Caprasio in 884.
Other places in the destination
Other directly associated places are Ripa, Pallerone and Bigliolo.
To the overarching travel overview: Massa-Carrara.
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