Comano: Mountain Landscape, History and Regional Cuisine

Comano combines the mountain world of Lunigiana with a long local history, distinctive buildings and a cuisine in which chestnut flour and regional traditions play an important role. There are also hiking destinations, waterfalls, expansive views and individual special experiences in the landscape. This means you can discover the town according to your interests—culturally, gastronomically or actively—while choosing the focus of your stay yourself.

History between the Tower Ruin and the Church

A striking landmark of Comano is the cylindrical tower ruin on a hill. It is the surviving part of Castello Malaspina, dating from the 11th century. The first reliable records of the town of Comano date back to the 9th century. Another historical point of reference is the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore in Torsana, which was built in the 12th century.

Hiking around Comano and Torsana

The districts of Comano are starting points for walks and hikes to the scenic Passo del Lagastrello. Torsana also offers a specific nature experience: from the church square of San Giacomo Maggiore, you may be lucky enough to observe golden eagles nesting on Punta Buffanaro. Torsana has been part of the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano since 2010. The combination of mountain landscape, local history and wildlife observation makes the area particularly interesting for visitors who enjoy spending their days outdoors and setting their own pace, while giving different weight to exercise, nature observation or local history.

Waterfall and Expansive Mountain Views

The municipality of Comano is home to the Cascata di Torsana, a 10-metre-high waterfall. The approach begins at the cemetery in Torsana; the route is classified as an E-grade hike and takes approximately 30 minutes. The Big Bench No. 153 in Comano offers a different landscape experience. It was installed in 2021 on the road to Passo del Lagastrello. From there, the view extends from the mountains of the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano to the Apuan Alps.

Typical Cuisine of Lunigiana

Comano can also be discovered through its regional specialities. Pattona di Comano is a bread made from chestnut flour, baked in a wood-fired oven wrapped in chestnut leaves. It is produced in Lunigiana and particularly in the municipality of Comano in the province of Massa-Carrara. Testaroli are also part of Lunigiana’s typical cuisine in Comano and can be sampled there. Those who want to combine landscapes and local cuisine thus have two different ways to experience the region’s distinctive character in one place: through specific landscape experiences and through dishes with regional connections.

Event during the Year

In September, the Comano Cavalli equestrian event takes place in Comano, featuring conferences, demonstrations, folk performances and a market with typical products from Lunigiana. This cultural and culinary event complements the nature experiences around the mountain villages, paths and viewpoints, combining professional, cultural and culinary elements.

Discover More Destinations

You can discover more destinations here: Arpiola-pianturcano, Malgrate, Fosdinovo, Caniparola, Prota, Licciana-Nardi, Montignoso and Mulazzo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Massa-Carrara.