Lunigiana – Liguria: Romanesque churches, stone castles and hidden valleys between the Apennines and the sea. Ligurian Lunigiana is located in the extreme east of the region, overlooking the border with Tuscany, between the coast of La Spezia and the first Apennine mountains. It is an intimate and intimate territory, made up of deep woods, medieval villages, ridge roads and rivers of clear water. Here history can be read in stone, in the slowness of daily gestures and in the continuity of traditions. 🏘️ Stone villages and medieval castles: Towns such as Brugnato, Varese Ligure, Pignone and Calice al Cornoviglio preserve an ancient urban fabric, including paved streets, carved portals and fortified walls. The castles of Lunigiana dot the hills like silent sentinels, to be explored on foot along little-traveled paths. 👉 Tip: Visit Varese Ligure, a round and harmonious village: a perfect example of medieval defensive architecture surrounded by green valleys. 🌿 Silent valleys and widespread nature: The valleys of Lunigiana are crossed by cool streams, mixed woods and old mule tracks. The landscapes follow one another without interruption: chestnut trees, beech trees, terraced fields and ancient stone bridges create a suspended and gentle atmosphere. 👉 Tip: Walk through the Vara Valley in spring: the flowering meadows and the sounds of water make the experience immersive and regenerating. ⛪ Romanesque churches and spirituality of the landscape: Along the ancient paths of the Via Francigena there are solitary parish churches and small places of worship in local stone. They are spaces that tell of a long time, made of silence, shade and rural faith, set in the woods or on the edge of the fields. 👉 Tip: Stop at the Pieve di Sorano near Filattiera: one of the most authentic and intact places in historic Lunigiana, where you can breathe deep peace. 🍞 Robust flavours and peasant cuisine: Lunigiana's cuisine is made up of poor and strong ingredients: testaroli with pesto, wood-fired bread, forest mushrooms, wild herbs and aged cheeses. There is no shortage of local cured meats and chestnut honey, often sold directly by small producers in the area. 👉 Tip: In a trattoria in the valley, order testaroli with oil and Parmesan cheese: few ingredients, but a flavor that tells the story of the land from which they come. 🚶 ♀️ Paths and routes between Liguria and Tuscany: Lunigiana is crossed by historic paths such as the Via Francigena and the ancient salt roads. They are routes that unite slopes and cultures, offering a walking experience through woods, villages and small uphill steps. Here, every turn is an invitation to stop and listen to the landscape. 👉 Tip: Start from Brugnato and follow a stretch of the Francigena on foot: the light that filters through the chestnut trees and the slow pace of the pace give a new perception of time. Ligurian Lunigiana is a land that does not seek attention, but deserves it: made of stone, water and silence, it reveals itself to those who know how to walk slowly and listen to the landscape.