Careggine
Careggine è un piccolo comune della Garfagnana, in provincia di Lucca, adagiato tra i boschi delle Alpi Apuane
Mis à jour le 19 juillet 2026
En cette saison · Juillet · Été
Que faire à Careggine maintenant
Le récit
L'histoire de Careggine
Introduction and location
Careggine lies in the Garfagnana, the valley carved by the Serchio river in the province of Lucca, at the foot of the Apuan Alps. The small main village sits on a hillside plateau, surrounded by chestnut woods and overlooking the basin that holds Lake Vagli, an artificial reservoir that has deeply shaped both the landscape and the local history. Its secluded position, off the main tourist routes, makes Careggine an ideal starting point for those seeking an authentic and still quiet side of Tuscany.
History and origins
Careggine's origins date back to the Middle Ages, when the Garfagnana territory passed under the control of various lordships, including the House of Este, before being annexed to the Duchy of Lucca. For centuries the local economy rested on chestnut cultivation, sheep farming and wool working, activities that shaped a settlement scattered across small hillside hamlets. A crucial chapter of recent history concerns the hamlet of Fabbriche di Careggine, whose houses were evacuated and flooded in the 1940s to build the dam that created Lake Vagli.
Nature and landscape
Most of the municipal territory falls within the Apuan Alps Regional Park, a mountain range famous for its limestone peaks, historic quarries and remarkable variety of natural habitats. Centuries-old chestnut woods, high-altitude beech forests and pastures alternate along the slopes, sheltering rich wildlife and quiet trails. Lake Vagli, its turquoise waters framed by the mountains, is the area's most distinctive feature: when the water level is lowered for maintenance work, the remains of the old submerged village re-emerge, a rare sight that draws visitors from across Italy.
Things to do and see
Visitors to Careggine can stroll through the small stone-built historic centre, with its close-set houses and views over the valley, or follow the hiking trails that climb toward the ridges of the Apuan Alps, suitable for casual walkers and more demanding trekkers alike. Lake Vagli invites lakeside walks and photo stops, while during periods when the reservoir is drained it is possible to see the remains of the old submerged village up close. The area's tranquillity also makes Careggine a good base for birdwatching and simple restful days surrounded by greenery.
Flavours and traditions
Careggine's cuisine reflects the rural soul of the Garfagnana: PGI-certified farro, grown in the valley's fields, is the star of hearty soups, while chestnuts gathered in the surrounding woods are turned into flour for necci, castagnaccio and other traditional sweets. Mountain pecorino cheese, local honey and porcini mushrooms picked in autumn are also staples, found in local trattorias alongside cured meats and dishes based on wild herbs. Village festivals tied to seasonal produce remain the best opportunity to taste this genuine gastronomic tradition.
Not to be missed
- Lake Vagli and its scenic shores
- The re-emerged remains of the submerged village of Fabbriche di Careggine
- The hiking trails of the Apuan Alps Regional Park
- Careggine's stone-built historic centre
- Local specialities: Garfagnana farro, pecorino cheese and chestnuts
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