Licciana Nardi: Castles, Trails and Lunigiana Culture

Castles, Towers and Sacred Art

Licciana Nardi combines local history with landscapes and trails. For you, this means a journey where medieval fortifications, a Renaissance-influenced fortress, churches and regional features can all be explored side by side. In the hamlet of Monti stands Castello Malaspina Monti, a medieval fortress. The complex features a massive square tower as well as round towers of varying sizes at the corners of the surrounding wall. The entrance tower also displays loopholes and fittings for a drawbridge.

Castello di Bastia reflects a different historical period. The fortress has architectural features from the Renaissance, stands on a hill in the Taverone Valley and dates back to the 13th century. In Apella, the village is regarded as the birthplace of the Risorgimento figure Anacarsi Nardi. This gives the local history a biographical and political dimension in addition to its buildings.

Apella and Trails through the Landscape

Since 1995, the old tower of Apella has housed Agriturismo Montagna Verde, which now serves as a visitor centre for the national park. For active exploration, a dense network of trails connects the villages and can be used year-round. From Apella, you can also continue by mountain bike or e-bike along the 230-kilometre Lunigiana Trail loop. The route passes through villages and by castles, combining physical activity with the region’s historical highlights.

The sacred buildings add their own distinctive touches. Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta in the hamlet of Venelia-Monti was built in the 11th century; a Romanesque apse made of Pietra serena remains from the earlier building. Pieve di San Nicolò Varano houses an altarpiece by the Lucchese painter Angelo Puccinelli from the 14th century. Details like these make the churches destinations in their own right for anyone wishing to combine architecture, regional materials and art history.

River, Views and Lunigiana

The Torrente Taverone runs through the area of Licciana Nardi and is one of the larger tributaries of the Magra. The areas around Monti and Apella are known for their particularly impressive scenic views. The village and valleys of Licciana Nardi lie within the Lunigiana landscape and the scenic surroundings of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park. For your travel planning, this creates a clear combination of sightseeing, nature experiences and longer walks through a distinctive landscape.

Regional Specialities and Local Life

Culinary discoveries are also part of the local side of Lunigiana. In Licciana Nardi and throughout Lunigiana, you can sample pork products such as Spalla cotta and Mortadella della Lunigiana. A special event is La Castagna racconta: This historical re-enactment takes place on the second and third weekends of October in the two main squares and along the historic town centre. When choosing accommodation, you can therefore consider whether to focus your days on castles and churches, hikes and cycling routes, scenic views or regional cuisine.

More local pages for travel planning: Pontebosio, Tavernelle, Amola, Casola In Lunigiana, Filattiera and Cantiere-ponticello.

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