Visit Fosdinovo Italy, the old gate of Lunigiana

Fosdinovo is a small village in northern Tuscany, 45 miles north of Pisa, 12 miles away from Carrara and marble quarries. It is considered the gate of the old historical region of Lunigiana. The main attraction is the castle built by the ancient feudal Malaspina family during the Middle Ages.

Where is Fosdinovo Italy

Fosdinovo Italy is out of the common itineraries of Tuscany. The landscape is different from the rolling hills of the southern part of Tuscany. We are close to the Apennines and to the Apuan Alps. The hills are steep and during wintertime, it may snow. 

Nature surrounds the little burg, that is close to the sea and easy to reach. I really suggest you visit Fosdinovo and Lunigiana. They will surprise you with their beauty and you won’t be disappointed.

Things to Do in Fosdinovo Italy

Potter Around

Walk along the narrow streets of the center and stop in Piazza Garibaldi to admire the beautiful landscape.

From the top of the hill of Fosdinovo, the 360-degree view is breathtaking. Look down into the Val di Magra and Luni Plains with the Magra river estuary. Or look at the coast of the Ligurian Sea, and you will catch a glimpse of Portovenere. On clear days, you are able to see the sea line with Elba Island and Corsica.

Even the view of the mountains is spectacular. Legend says that these mountains inspired the famous Dante Alighieri while writing The Inferno of the Divine Comedy.

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The Church of San Remigio

The Church of San Remigio was probably built in the thirteenth century by order of the Bishops of Luni. It has a baroque style with one single nave, a presbytery, and a choir. Inside the church, you can find the marble tomb of Galeotto Malaspina.

Oratorio della Compagnia dei Bianchi

The Oratory of the Whites Fellowship takes the name of an ancient religious congregation. Built during the sixteenth century on the ruins of the old building, in 1666 Pasquale Malaspina donated the white marble facade to the congregation. It has a Baroque style and contains altars made of polychromatic marble and a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary from the fifteenth century.

Oratorio dei Rossi

The Oratory of the Reds is a Baroque-style Christian temple, built in 1605. It takes the name from the red color of the Confraternity clothes.

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The Castle of Malaspina Family

Malaspina Castle is the most known attraction in the town. Every day during the summer season, excluding Tuesday, is possible to take a guided tour of the castle. Lunigiana counts more than 100 castles, but the one in Fosdinovo is the biggest, most fascinating, and most important. You cannot miss a visit.

Make sure to read about How to visit Fosdinovo Castle.

Other Things to see in Fosdinovo Italy

• Visit the Audiovisual Museum of the 2nd World War Resistance created in memory of the Resistance in the Apuan and Luni areas.
• The Villa Malaspina in Caniparola, now owned by the Zuccarino family, has a beautiful park with Italian gardens.
• Explore the Ruins of the Castrum of Ponzanello. It was one of the most important settlements controlling the access from the inland to the northern Tyrrhenian coast. The site is abandoned but easy to visit.

Fosdinovo, nature, pilgrimage routes, and specialty foods

Fosdinovo makes also a good base for hiking and cycling lovers. There are numerous routes to take and explore the vegetation of the surroundings.

The Tuscan stretch of the historic route Via Francigena starts in Lunigiana and passes across Fosdinovo. Over the centuries thousands of pilgrims walked this route to reach Rome.

Among all the local products, of the highest quality and prestige, you find Testaroli, Sgabei, and chestnut flour. But also the best honey of Italy with PDO certification (Protected Designation Origin), marmalade, jams, and Porcini mushrooms. Here on the Colli di Luni, you also find some nice Vermentino white wine.

Fosdinovo, Did you know that…

• Fosdinovo represented the Tuscan province of Massa Carrara at the Expo 2015 in Milan.
• In 2014 Fosdinovo got the prestigious Bandiera Arancione, literally Orange Flag. This is a reward for the development and quality of its tourism offer.

Make sure to read about The 10 Best Villages of Tuscany

• Fosdinovo is considered one of the best hamlets to live in Italy.
• Every fourth weekend of July, the town hosts a street food festival to celebrate the local dish of Testaroli.
• In July there is also a Medieval Festival. For two days, you will experience the atmosphere of the Medieval era with street artists, costume parades, music, and traditional food stands.

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