Coreglia Antelminelli
Coreglia Antelminelli is a medieval hilltop village in the province of Lucca, Tuscany, perched above the Serchio valley on the edg...
Updated 19 July 2026
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The story
The story of Coreglia Antelminelli
Introduction and location
The municipality of Coreglia Antelminelli lies in the province of Lucca, Tuscany, within the Media Valle del Serchio area, only a few kilometres from the gateway to the Garfagnana. Its main settlement stands on a hill overlooking the valley carved by the Serchio river, while the wider municipal territory includes several hamlets scattered across hillsides and wooded slopes. Positioned midway between Lucca and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, the town has historically served as a passage between the plain and the inner valleys, encouraging trade, seasonal migration and a rural economy tied to the forest and craftsmanship.
History and origins
The origins of Coreglia Antelminelli date back to the Middle Ages, when the settlement developed as a fortified outpost linked to the control of the routes connecting Lucca to the mountain valleys. Over the centuries the town was shaped by the political events that affected the Lucchesia, alternating periods of autonomy with phases of control by neighbouring powers. Its name recalls the Antelminelli family, historically tied to the city of Lucca. This past is still visible in the remains of defensive structures and in the layout of the historic centre, with narrow lanes, stone buildings and views that reflect centuries of history.
Nature and landscape
The territory of Coreglia Antelminelli features a hilly, mountainous landscape dominated by extensive chestnut woods that for centuries provided a key resource for the local economy. The slopes surrounding the main village offer scenic viewpoints over the Serchio valley and, on clear days, towards the Apennine peaks that close the horizon to the north. Paths and country roads connect the various hamlets, crossing rural areas where cultivated fields, pastures and woodland alternate. The Apennine climate, with cool winters and mild summers, together with the water carried by local streams, has helped preserve a still largely unspoiled natural environment.
What to do and see
Visitors to Coreglia Antelminelli can spend time strolling through the historic centre, among stone houses, stepped lanes and small openings that suddenly reveal views over the valley. A particular point of interest is the museum dedicated to plaster figurines and to the history of emigration, which tells the story of the itinerant figurine-makers who left this area for Europe and beyond. Among the hamlets of the municipality, the fortified settlement of Ghivizzano still shows traces of its old defensive layout. The area also lends itself to walking and cycling along the hillside paths, discovering small rural villages and views over the countryside of the Media Valle del Serchio.
Flavours and traditions
The cuisine of Coreglia Antelminelli reflects the rural tradition of the Garfagnana and Media Valle del Serchio areas, where chestnuts long replaced wheat as the staple food. Chestnut flour is still used today to prepare bread, desserts and polenta, often served alongside mushrooms, local cheeses and cured meats typical of the Tuscan Apennines. Local trattorias offer simple dishes tied to the seasonality of forest and garden produce, while village festivals held throughout the area keep alive recipes passed down through generations, offering an authentic taste of local rural culture.
Not to be missed
- The historic centre of Coreglia Antelminelli, with its stone lanes and valley views
- The Museum of Plaster Figurines and Emigration
- The fortified hamlet of Ghivizzano
- The scenic paths through the chestnut woods of the Media Valle del Serchio
- The village festivals celebrating forest produce
To see
What to see in Coreglia Antelminelli
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