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The Via Francigena pilgrims’ route goes through the Apennines towards the Mediterranean, coming out of the mountains nearby the present day Cisa (or what is also known as Via di Monte Bardone or the ancient Mons Longobardorum) and went to the sea following the river Magra.
The Val di Magra (Magra Valley) is still an important crossroads today, both for roads and rail. Nonetheless it has managed to conserve its natural beauty and cultural heritage such as ancient castles, Romanesque churches and fascinating quaint old walled towns. The whole valley between the Massa Carrara and La Spezia is full of relaxing panoramas with lush green woodland and crystal clear streams – all the way to the to the sea in Cinque Terre and small costal towns such as Portovenere and Lerici, which are perched on the cliff edge.
The first Tuscan leg along the Via Francigena is 19.4 km long, which takes in about 5 hours. From the 1,100 meters high of the Passo della Cisa, pligrims follow the path to the Pass of Righetto, where they find a steep and difficult descent to Groppoli, located 400 meters above sea level. At one time, the road over the pass reached Montelungo, where the Monastery of St. Benedict was once located and offered hospitality; it is now destroyed.
Continuing through the villages of Groppodalosio and Casalina Topelecca; the way leads to a long climb to the Passo della Crocetta, some 700 metres above sea level.
The route then goes down to the town of Arzengio, and then Pontremoli, an important town in the Lunigiana region, where visitors will find the church of Saint Peter. This church still has its labyrinth, which is the ancient symbol for pilgrimage to the holy land. Today Pontremoli is a quiet town which is home to a number of interesting architectural and historical sites. The leg ends in Piazza Repubblica in Pontremoli.
In this leg, there are no dangerous trajectories near traffic.
SEE A MAP OF THE LEG HERE
Total length (km): 19.4
Type of Travel: On foot
Travel time on foot (h: min): 5.00
Difference in height (m): 527
Descent (m): 1327
Maximum height (m): 1108
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Paved roads: 16%
Dirt roads and driveways: 29%
Mule tracks and trails: 55%
Cycling: 65%
Getting to the starting point: FS line Parma-La Spezia station Berceto Prontobus for the CISA (800-977900 before 14)
WHAT TO SEE IN PONTREMOLI
There are several Baroque palaces, churches and characteristic bridges over the river Magra. Piagnaro Castle contains many interesting stone statues, stone slabs or funerary sculptures which show carved human figures. The route then heads to Filattiera, with the Romanesque Sorano church and Villafranca where there used to be a toll booth for people travelling along the Via Romea.
The Via Francigena goes along the river Magra towards Aulla and passing into the province of La Spezia at Santo Stefano Magra. This town has ancient origins and parts of its medieval town walls are still standing. From here the Via Francigena goes on to Sarzana.
The old Via Romea then goes on towards Luni, a town with Roman origins. The Romans used to transport marble to Rome from the town of Luni. Not far from here is the port of S. Maurizio – pilgrims heading for the pilgrims’ route to Santiago di Compostela in Spain would set sail from here. Visitors to Luni can see the Archaeological Museum and the Roman ruins which include the forum, a frescoed house and an amphitheatre. The route carries on to Avenza, near Carrara, and then finally to Massa.
Nearby, at S.Leonardo al Frigido (just a few kilometres from the beaches of the Apuane Riviera) there used to be a large town. Today only the church remains. In the past there was also a hostel for the Gerosolimitani knights of Saint John. The steep slopes of the Apuane Alps rise up close by and it was from these rocky mountains that Michelangelo quarried the blocks of marble he used for his famous sculptures.
The Val di Magra (Magra Valley) is still an important crossroads today, both for roads and rail. Nonetheless it has managed to conserve its natural beauty and cultural heritage such as ancient castles, Romanesque churches and fascinating quaint old walled towns. The whole valley between the Massa Carrara and La Spezia is full of relaxing panoramas with lush green woodland and crystal clear streams – all the way to the to the sea in Cinque Terre and small costal towns such as Portovenere and Lerici, which are perched on the cliff edge.
The first Tuscan leg along the Via Francigena is 19.4 km long, which takes in about 5 hours. From the 1,100 meters high of the Passo della Cisa, pligrims follow the path to the Pass of Righetto, where they find a steep and difficult descent to Groppoli, located 400 meters above sea level. At one time, the road over the pass reached Montelungo, where the Monastery of St. Benedict was once located and offered hospitality; it is now destroyed.
Continuing through the villages of Groppodalosio and Casalina Topelecca; the way leads to a long climb to the Passo della Crocetta, some 700 metres above sea level.
The route then goes down to the town of Arzengio, and then Pontremoli, an important town in the Lunigiana region, where visitors will find the church of Saint Peter. This church still has its labyrinth, which is the ancient symbol for pilgrimage to the holy land. Today Pontremoli is a quiet town which is home to a number of interesting architectural and historical sites. The leg ends in Piazza Repubblica in Pontremoli.
In this leg, there are no dangerous trajectories near traffic.
SEE A MAP OF THE LEG HERE
Total length (km): 19.4
Type of Travel: On foot
Travel time on foot (h: min): 5.00
Difference in height (m): 527
Descent (m): 1327
Maximum height (m): 1108
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Paved roads: 16%
Dirt roads and driveways: 29%
Mule tracks and trails: 55%
Cycling: 65%
Getting to the starting point: FS line Parma-La Spezia station Berceto Prontobus for the CISA (800-977900 before 14)
WHAT TO SEE IN PONTREMOLI
There are several Baroque palaces, churches and characteristic bridges over the river Magra. Piagnaro Castle contains many interesting stone statues, stone slabs or funerary sculptures which show carved human figures. The route then heads to Filattiera, with the Romanesque Sorano church and Villafranca where there used to be a toll booth for people travelling along the Via Romea.
The Via Francigena goes along the river Magra towards Aulla and passing into the province of La Spezia at Santo Stefano Magra. This town has ancient origins and parts of its medieval town walls are still standing. From here the Via Francigena goes on to Sarzana.
The old Via Romea then goes on towards Luni, a town with Roman origins. The Romans used to transport marble to Rome from the town of Luni. Not far from here is the port of S. Maurizio – pilgrims heading for the pilgrims’ route to Santiago di Compostela in Spain would set sail from here. Visitors to Luni can see the Archaeological Museum and the Roman ruins which include the forum, a frescoed house and an amphitheatre. The route carries on to Avenza, near Carrara, and then finally to Massa.
Nearby, at S.Leonardo al Frigido (just a few kilometres from the beaches of the Apuane Riviera) there used to be a large town. Today only the church remains. In the past there was also a hostel for the Gerosolimitani knights of Saint John. The steep slopes of the Apuane Alps rise up close by and it was from these rocky mountains that Michelangelo quarried the blocks of marble he used for his famous sculptures.
