ルニジャーナのカソラの洞窟・トップ4

In the center of the village, the Malaspina castle stands out in all its grandeur: towers of different sizes, shapes and heights joined to the central palace form a whole where the military function coexists with the residential one. Low houses outline a sort of wall on the perimeter of that “verrucula” (small wart) that rises between the Mommio stream and the Collegnago canal; a real dive into the Middle Ages. Verrucola was embellished by the sculptor and painter Pietro Cascella with some works, especially fountains, placed to decorate the town at the end of a skillful restoration.

The tortuous valley of Lucido dug by water over millions of years, which has eroded day after day, grain after grain, the bottom and sides, carving dizzying furrows in the stone. Approaching the Balzone the hard rock towers impressively over the valley floor. Man wanted to make it his own by building a daring list to steal from the mountain its white stone, a miracle of geological formation. From below, passing along the adventurous railway that crosses the valley of Lucido and Aulella, the village of Monzone appears perched on a rocky tooth, almost threatening on days of bad weather. I have defined the railway as adventurous, because its construction lasted, in portions, for a good 67 years, from 1892 to 1959, crossing the impervious valleys of Lucido, Aulella and Serchio

Framed by the Apuan peaks, the castle, which was also the residence of the Malaspina family, dominates the village.

The Verrucola fortress, whose first documented information dates back to the beginning of the 12th century, preserves all the elements of a medieval castrum with a true system of fortifications that responds to the military and legal organization of a feudal dominion. The castle walls include the courtyard, the chapel and several towers.

Fortezza delle Verrucole: Very imposing medieval fortress. From its walls you have a really fantastic view of the surrounding area. Mondays are days off here, otherwise the opening times depend on the season. The opening times and admission prices can be found here: https://www.fortezzaverrucolearcheopark.it/it/informazioni.html However, I cannot really recommend the museum of the castle.

The Verrucole Fortress in San Romano in Garfagnana, founded by the Gherardinghi family over a previous human settlement, dates back to a period between the 10th and 13th centuries. In 1986 the municipality of San Romano in Garfagnana bought the Fortress, starting the conservative and reconstructive restoration, completed in 2012. Since 2013, the Fortress can be visited regularly thanks to the Fortezza Verrucole Archeopark project.

Just fantastic this little village. The narrow streets and the never-ending steps. just great.