Track details

Distance

10.8km

Duration

3h 15min

Ascent

507m

Descent

565m

Starting altitude

498m

Arrival altitude

440m

Lowest point

386m

Highest point

697m

Verrucole fortress

Deep in the Garfagnana, 3 kilometres from the municipality of San Romano, sits the imposing Verrucole Castle. The fortress is a very important medieval site, positioned on a hill 600 metres up, above the village of Verrucole.

Built by the Gherardinghi family, it was constructed around the 11th-12th century to dominate the area they ruled over and to oppose the Bacciano family in their claim over San Romano. The castle was made up of two distinct buildings, the Rocca Quadra and Rocca Tonda, located on each side of the hill and surrounded by a wall.

The Castrum Verrucolae Gherardinghi, as it was called on an imperial seal in 1376 by Charles IV, was later given to Spinetta Malaspina, a member of another one of the medieval power-holding families that dominated the border between Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia. Following the conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, the fortress was taken by the Florentines in 1430, by Lucca four years later, and finally by the Este family, who after 1446 subjected San Romano and its territory to their rule.

The castle can be reached on foot from the village of Verrucole, following the trail up the slopes of the hill. The fortress is open to visitors and you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Garfagnana valley and the Apuan Alps.

Info: fortezzaverrucolearcheopark.it

Agriturismo Mulino del Rancone

Let’s start with his name ” Il Mulino del Rancone ” that could not be different if only because since the dawn of time, the life-and middle income of the area surrounding it was the mill to water on the banks of the river Serchio , in fact one of the cottages where today after appropriate restructuring have made the accommodation forguests .
The flow ‘ water Serchio that here is still a limpid stream , prior to the construction of dams, guaranteeing valuable energy constant throughout the year for millstones in stone.

The complex of houses in stone including that of farmers and millers , retains all the charm of yesteryear and is structured on different levels, in keeping with a slope that leads to the stream , where over the years, It has formed a pretty little beach river very popular with kids and much more!