Filattiera
Filattiera è un comune della Lunigiana, in provincia di Massa-Carrara, adagiato lungo il fiume Magra sull'antico tracciato della V...
Aktualisiert am 19 Juli 2026
In dieser Saison · Juli · Sommer
Was jetzt in Filattiera unternehmen
Die Geschichte
Die Geschichte von Filattiera
Filattiera: Gateway to Lunigiana
Filattiera lies in Lunigiana, the historic border area of the province of Massa-Carrara that links Tuscany with Liguria and Emilia. The village developed along the valley of the Magra river, in a territory crossed since the Middle Ages by the Via Francigena, the great pilgrimage route to Rome. This crossroads position made Filattiera a stopping point for travellers, merchants and pilgrims, leaving visible traces in the layout of the village and its historic buildings, still testifying today to a past shaped by transit, encounter and trade between different cultures.
History and Origins
The origins of Filattiera date back to the early Middle Ages, when the village became a strategic stronghold along the Via Francigena. Its name, of probable Byzantine origin, recalls the role of guarding and controlling the territory exercised during the Lombard period. In later centuries the village came under the influence of the Malaspina family, who built a castle to defend the valley, whose remains still stand on the hill overlooking the settlement. Not far away rises the Pieve di Sorano, one of the most significant examples of Romanesque architecture in Lunigiana, evidence of the religious and civic importance the area once held.
Nature and Landscape
The territory of Filattiera stretches across the gentle hills of Lunigiana, covered with chestnut woods that for centuries provided wood and flour, a staple of the local economy. The Magra valley, which runs through the municipality, offers sweeping views towards the Apuan Alps, with landscapes alternating terraced fields, rows of trees and small rural hamlets. The area is well suited to walking and cycling along historic trails and paths, including the Via Francigena route, ideal for those seeking direct contact with nature and the slow rhythms of the Tuscan countryside.
What to Do and See
A visit to Filattiera starts from the small historic centre, with its stone houses and lanes climbing towards the remains of the Malaspina castle, a scenic viewpoint over the Magra valley. Just outside the village, the Pieve di Sorano is worth a stop, with its essential Romanesque forms and the intimate atmosphere typical of pilgrimage churches. Walking even a short stretch of the Via Francigena lets visitors breathe in the spirit of historic pilgrim routes, while the hamlets scattered across the hills offer a chance to discover a rural landscape still largely untouched by mass tourism.
Flavours and Traditions
The cuisine of Filattiera reflects the rural traditions of Lunigiana, based on simple, genuine ingredients. Chestnut flour, obtained from the woods surrounding the village, is the base of desserts and humble dishes handed down through generations. Among the local specialities are testaroli, served with pesto or melted cheese, and torta d'erbi, made with seasonal vegetables and wild herbs. Honey, cured meats and artisan cheeses are also common, often served in the small local trattorias, where Lunigiana cuisine is prepared according to recipes and habits that have remained largely unchanged over time.
Not to be missed
- The Pieve di Sorano, one of Lunigiana's finest Romanesque churches
- The remains of the Malaspina Castle, overlooking the Magra valley
- The small historic centre of the village, with its stone houses
- The stretch of the Via Francigena that crosses the municipality
- Local Lunigiana flavours such as testaroli, torta d'erbi and chestnut flour
Sehenswert
Sehenswertes in Filattiera
Pfade · Trovido Route
