Pieve Fosciana: Churches, Trails and Festivals

Churches, Museum and Mill

The Eremo di Capraia was completely renovated at the initiative of the local population and the municipal administration. The parish church of San Giovanni Battista was built in the Romanesque style around the 11th century. The Church of San Magno is one of the monuments in Pieve Fosciana worth visiting. The castle tower of Sillico dates from the 12th to the 13th century. Those focusing on churches can mark San Giovanni Battista and San Magno as separate points of interest.

The MuGar – Archaeological Museum of the Garfagnana – houses archaeological artefacts discovered in the Garfagnana. MuGar also displays a bronze breastplate from Cima la Foce dating from the Late Bronze Age, around the 11th century BC. The breastplate is considered almost unique in Italy. Another insight into local history is offered by the Regoli family mill, which is still in operation. Those interested in culture can also include MuGar and the Regoli family mill in their itinerary.

Long-Distance Trail and Bodies of Water

The Via Vandelli is a long-distance trail approximately 150 kilometres long, divided into seven stages. The route connects Modena with Massa, crosses the Garfagnana and leads to Pieve Fosciana. In Pieve Fosciana, the Via Vandelli meets the Via Matildica del Volto Santo. When planning a multi-day hike, the Via Vandelli can be structured according to its seven stages.

At Lago di Pontecosi, opportunities for walking, fishing and birdwatching are available all year round. Prà di Lama is the only lake of natural origin in the Garfagnana and is fed by underground springs. At Lago di Pontecosi, you can combine these activities according to your daily schedule. For nature enthusiasts, Prà di Lama remains a separate point of interest due to its natural origin and underground springs.

Summer Festivals

The Festa dei pastori festival takes place every year on the last Sunday in July at Lame di Capraia. The “Divini & Sapori” festival takes place every year on the first weekend of July in Sillico. In Pieve Fosciana, the Festa del Formenton 8 file festival takes place every year on the Sunday before August begins. For a summer stay, the dates in July and around the transition to August should be considered separately.

Pieve Fosciana’s traditional Tasting Walk takes place at the beginning of August and offers local specialities prepared according to centuries-old recipes. During Sillico’s Renaissance festival, which is dedicated to the village’s bandits, the two entrances to the village are closed by large gates. The Tasting Walk at the beginning of August adds another date in Pieve Fosciana to the events in Sillico and at Lame di Capraia. During the Renaissance festival, the closed entrances to the village should be taken into account as part of your local route planning.

Also worth adding: Sillico, Pontecosi.

For the broader travel overview: Lucca.

More Destinations

More places in the same destination:

Careggine, Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana, Villa Collemandina, Piazza Al Serchio, San Romano In Garfagnana, Giuncugnano.