Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: Culture, Trails and Regional Traditions

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana between the old town and mountain landscape

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana combines historic urban sites, the literary world of Orlando Furioso, an easy circular hiking trail and regional traditions. If you choose a holiday apartment in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, you can therefore tailor your stay to different interests: culture in the old town, walks connected with the landscape or events centred around the Garfagnana.

Holiday Apartment in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana: Old Town and Culture

Every Thursday morning, a traditional open-air market, originally dating back to the Middle Ages, takes place in the streets and squares of the historic old town. Thursday is therefore the right time for you if you would like a market visit to be part of your stay.

The Cattedrale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo was built in the second half of the 15th century over an earlier Romanesque church dating from the 11th century. Inside are a glazed terracotta figure of Saint Joseph from the workshop of Andrea della Robbia and a wooden 15th-century crucifix known as Cristo Nero.

The Rocca Ariostesca stands on the central Piazza Umberto I. It houses “Il Palazzo di Atlante”, a multimedia exhibition about the poetic world of Orlando Furioso and Ariosto’s time in the Garfagnana. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the old town with a specific insight into literature and regional history.

Hiking Trail, Panorama and Theatre

The Sentiero dell’Ariosto is an easy circular hiking trail. It passes rural houses and runs through woodland before reaching Mont’Alfonso. The circular route therefore offers you a clearly defined way to combine the cultural connection with Ariosto with a hike through different types of landscape.

In the surroundings of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso overlooks the town from a hill. From there, the 360-degree view extends across the Apuan Alps, including the Panie group, to the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.

The Teatro Alfieri was built in 1860. Following extensive restoration, it hosts events of national importance and a renowned annual season of prose theatre. The theatre thus complements the historic buildings and views with a regular cultural programme.

Garfagnana Traditions and Choosing Your Location

The events programme in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana includes a festival celebrating Garfagnana DOP Neccio flour. The Museo archeologico del territorio della Garfagnana was closed for renovation work.

Those who place the market, cathedral, Rocca Ariostesca and Teatro Alfieri at the centre of their visit can choose a holiday apartment in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana with a culture-oriented stay in mind. Those who prefer the Sentiero dell’Ariosto or the view from the Fortezza di Mont’Alfonso, on the other hand, will set different priorities for planning their days.

For further orientation, you can also discover Castiglione di Garfagnana, Gragnanella, Casone and Colle.

For the overarching travel overview: Lucca.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Forte dei Marmi, Massarosa, Torre, Borgo a Mozzano.