t was an historic water mill with a millstone which, activated by the nearby waters of the Parmignola river, was one of the early references point of eastern Liguria in the production of olive oil.

In the late 1700s the Marquis Amati, the owner of the oil mill and surrounding lands, decided to extend the original part of the mill by building a new area. This new part was destined to be a work place for the olive oil production, for its sharecroppers and to be a residential home where the noblewoman Franchina Eloisa Ingolotti used to love to come and stay during the summer.

The mill was an active business until the first half of ‘900, after which the heirs completely transformed it into a proper house where to spend the holidays in peace and tranquillity. From that moment onwards Casale Amati, as we find it today, was born.

The last complete renovation was completed in the year 2016. Not only have the changes been made in an attempt to maintain and respect the characteristics of the original farmhouse, but they have also worked to emphasize the origins of this beautiful place, by leaving the mill, the gears, the logs and the old structures of the mill as architectural elements, characterizing spaces as clear evidence of the farmhouse’ s past.

Suspended between the past and the present, between nostalgia and contemporary tastes, this fascinating farmhouse thus internally combines the story of an antique and laborious farm-to-table activity of this area with a warm and relaxing atmosphere typical of the bien vivre of the rural nobility.

Known for its history, folklore and strong humanistic culture, Fivizzano is one of the most interesting towns in the Lunigiana. Thanks to its unique characteristics, it’s had many nicknames over the course of centuries: “Celebrated land,” “ the town with beautiful windows,” “beautiful corner of Florence” and “Athens of the Lunigiana”. The town was founded and developed thanks to its role as a rest stop, fundamental before taking on the mountain crossing that divides – not far from here – the road between Lucca and Parma (the historic Via Nuova Clodia).
Read the story of Fivizzano on logo toscana ovunque bella Fivizzano – Lovers and prisoners in the Florence of Lunigiana – Tuscany, Beautiful Everywhere Fivizzano Lovers and prisoners in the Florence of Lunigiana The story of Count Giuseppe Maria Felicini and Don Rodrigo di FivizzanoRead the story

In the Middle Ages, Fivizzano was home to the Verrucola Castle, expanded in the first half of the 14th century by Spinetta Malaspina and which can still be seen today on the hill in front of the town. Governed by the Malaspina for centuries, the village passed into the hands of Florence in 1477, for whom this area – surrounded by the Republics of Lucca and Genoa, the Duchies of Massa Carrara. Parma and Modena and the Marquisate of Fosdinovo – became a strategic centre and an important meeting place for commercial exchanges.

In the town’s splendid historic centre, visitors can see the defense walls built by Cosimo de’ Medici in 1540, as well as the Palace and tomb of the Arcadian Labindo and the beautiful Baroque fountain from 1683, built on the commission of Cosimo III. The large Piazza Medicea is still the centre of life in Fivizzano today, with the provostorial church that was restored after it was severely damaged by a major earthquake that hit the city in 1920.

It may be surprising to learn but Fivizzano hasn’t played a minor role in Italy’s humanistic culture. This is where Jacopo da Fivizzano opened one of the first print houses in the entire country, where the first typewriter ever built was created and used. He’s honoured in the town with the Museum of Printing, housed inside the Palazzo Fantoni, a historic noble residence recovered by the famous Fivizzano-born doctor and writer, Loris Jacopo Bononi. The Accademia degli Imperfetti played an important role in the cultural history of the town. The institution was founded in the 1500s and operated with enthusiasm until the mid-1800s; they were responsible for building the Teatro degli Imperfetti – inaugurated in 1807 and fitted with 600 seats. Lovers of literature shouldn’t miss a visit to the Augustinian complex, with its library, home to a beautiful collection of works coming from the adjacent church; the hospice and, outside, the bronze monument that celebrates the Fivizzano origins of Nicholas V, the pope responsible for creating the Vatican Library.

Just outside the town centre, visitors can admire the Verrucola Castle, built by Spinetta Malaspina and today the residence of the sculptor Pietro Cascella. Once in this area, a visit to the Parish Church of San Paolo di Vendaso is a must, as is one to the village of Soliera, home to the sanctuary of the Madonna dei Colli, and the charming hamlets of Gragnola, Vinca (high up in the Apuans and with unparalleled bread) and Ceserano (known for the farm and vineyards belonging to Conte Picedi-Benettini). The large territory of Fivizzano is also called the “land of one hundred villages” and among these, it’s worth mentioning Equi Terme, a renowned thermal resort with stunning grottos.

Fivizzano is the ideal destination for nature lovers as most of the area is located inside the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park and the Apuan Alps Park. For those who like parks, the Botanical Gardens in Frignoli could be of interest, as would a visit to the mountain village of Sassalbo (the headquarters of the National Park).

For those interested in folklore, visit Fivizzano in the summer, when the town celebrates an exemplary medieval tournament. The origins of the event date to 1571, when Piazza Medicea was the site of a unique challenge between archers from the Terra neighbourhood and those from the neighbourhoods of Guardia, Verrucola, Fittadisio and Montechiaro: the duel consisted of launching an arrow that had to hit a target 30 metres away. Since 1971, this historic tradition has been re-enacted every July, under the name Disfida fra Arcieri di Terra e Corte. This is also when, against the backdrop of the flag-draped town, there’s a fun parade with over 300 people in 16th-century costume, accompanied by flag-throwers, musicians and knights. [from www.visittuscany.it]

A square-shaped building divided into three layers is located inside the fortified village, they suppose it was the residence of Spinetta, destroyed by Castruccio in 1319, but it was completely rebuilt in the following years. The Palace has a huge room on the ground floor, called “armory room”, covered by a vaulted structure.

On the eastern side of the Verrucola Fortress there is a large rectangular tower of fourteenth-century architecture, built to defend the village.

The complex is protected by multiple city walls, erected over the centuries. The outer walls (fifteenth century), enclose the entire village and the access is limited to only two doors.

The internal walls protect the tower house and the palace of Spinetta (photo above: the tower on the left surrounded by cypresses), placed on top of the hill.

The fortress main gate is located to the north, under the big square-shaped tower.

On the left bank of the Taverone torrent, downstream of Licciana Nardi, you’ll find the small hamlet of Pontebosio. Its name derives from an old arched bridge (a necessary throughway going towards the parish churches of Soliera and Venelia), which owes its name to a famed historic figure, Boso or Bosio, a member of the noble Bosi della Verrucola family – the family most likely behind the construction of the town’s main castle. In the hamlet’s piazza you’ll find the beautiful 17th-century castle that once functioned as a noble residence. It was later transformed into a seminary and eventually a middle school, while today it contains luxury homes. Its current appearance still flaunts its history as an imposing military structure.

The Baroque-style parish church was built by order of Ferdinando Malaspina, a structure that replaced the old oratory. Across the street you’ll find the Poderetto Castle built by the Malaspina di Podenzana family. From town, passing under the “vota” (vault) check out the age-old mill, a structure still boasting inactive millstones. And be sure to head to riverbank where you’ll find the remains of an old paper mill. [from visittuscany.com]

A great spot to consider when visiting Lunigiana between Fivizzano and Fosdinovo