Wednesday, March 27, 2013

The Lunigiana - an undiscovered Tuscany.

The Lunigiana is an historic territory which falls within both Liguria(province of La Spezia) and Tuscany (Massa Cararra).

Image courtesy of Terre di Lunigiana



Casa Colleverde is in the province of La Spezia not far from the ancient Roman City of Luni in the Val di Magra from which the Lunigiana takes its name.The historical confines of the Lunigiana derive from the Roman City Luni and the medieval diocese of the Bishops of Luni. The major part of the Lunigiana can be found in Tuscany.
The amphitheatre at Luni



The Lunigiana was a territory fought over by the Genovese,Milanese and Florentines as it  was a strategic route from Tuscany to the north and hence it is an area with many hill top towns and castles.

The Lunigiana for me is an area little explored by the majority of tourists visiting Italy and Tuscany who are drawn to the busier and more well known areas of Lucca ,Chianti around Siena and the Val d'orcia.. The Lunigiana is a little more rugged but like other areas in Tuscany has its traditions and its own authentic country cuisine.

Those who would like to know more about the area the following are good sources .

Ciao Lunigiana - www.ciaolunigiana.com
Terre di Lunigiana - www.terredilunigiana.com 

Fillateria picture courtesy of Terre di Lunigiana