Holiday apartment in Bigliolo: Nature, History and Culture

Landscape along the Torrente Taverone and in the former basin of Olivola

Bigliolo lies on the left bank of the Torrente Taverone, in the basin of a former, fossil-rich lake known as the basin of Olivola. The Taverone represents the present-day watercourse, while Olivola refers to the former lake. The former lake is not a body of water today. Bigliolo also lies in a south-facing, very sunny valley protected from the Tramontana winds by the first Apennine mountains. The soil is fertile, well drained and low in lime. The location therefore brings together a present-day river course, the geological memory of a former lake basin, and characteristic soil and valley features.

Bigliolo castle ruins and sacred marble images on houses and along roads

Today, the overgrown curtain wall and towers are all that remain of Bigliolo Castle. Bigliolo is also home to numerous sacred marble images and Maestà from the 17th to the 19th century, which were placed to protect houses and roads. The curtain wall and towers belong to the castle complex, whereas the Maestà were placed on houses and along roads.

In the 13th century, Castello di Bigliolo was one of the fortifications guarding the bishop's seat of Lunigiana. In 1523, the complex withstood an attack during Giovanni delle Bande Nere's attempt to establish a fief in Lunigiana. After the conflict of 1523, Castello di Bigliolo entered a period of decline. The present-day ruins and the castle's historical function therefore belong to different periods.

Madonna di Castagnola: year of construction, interior, presbytery and altar

The present building of the Madonna di Castagnola sanctuary dates from 1720. Its rectangular interior has a single nave and a raised presbytery. The latter was originally vaulted and now has a ceiling. The building also includes a Baroque altar. The former vault and the present ceiling therefore mark two states of the same presbytery; the year refers to the present building.

Hiking and cycling between nature and history

A hike took place on the Via della Luce di Bigliolo, combining nature and history. On its return leg, the “Natura e storia” cycling tour on the Strada del Vino di Candia e Lunigiana passes through Bigliolo and its fields. The hike focuses on the connection between nature and history, while the cycling tour specifically records the return leg through Bigliolo.

Stele, tasting and culinary tradition

In the wider regional area, the Bigliolo stele is now housed in the Museo delle Statue Stele Lunigianesi in Pontremoli. It points to a regional cultural connection that extends beyond the immediate locality.

Since 1983, the Sagra del Fagiolo di Bigliolo has been held every year on the second and third Sundays in October. The excursion on the Via della Luce di Bigliolo also included a tasting organized by the Pro Loco di Bigliolo.

Holiday apartment in Bigliolo as a base

A holiday apartment in Bigliolo may be an appealing base if you would like to combine landscapes, local history, hiking, cycling and culinary traditions in one travel itinerary.

For further orientation, you can also explore Ripa, Pallerone.

For the broader travel overview: Aulla.