Garfagnana
GARFAGNANA
Garfagnana autumn Garfagnana, the Valley of Serchio River between the Apennines and the Apuan Alps, remained isolated from communication routes and now its nearly intact landscape is protected by the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park, the Apuan Alps Regional Park and the Orecchiella Natural Reserve .
Garfagnana chestnut groves This water rich zone is the natural habitat of wild boar, stag, roe-deer, golden eagle, cormorant and the heron and, after a few centuries, of the wolf too. For several hundred years the chestnut has been "bread tree" for the Garfagnana population and "chestnuts" and "Garfagnana spelt " have been the main food source.
Garfagnana house Garfagnana nature offers also "hidden" natural spectacles, like underground lakes and rivers, stalactites and stalagmites in the "Grotta del Vento" (cave of wind) near Vergemoli, a stunning cave system with strong airflows because of the two openings at two different heights. Grotta del Vento
Local population influenced the configuration of the landscape, as the many medieval bridges testify, as the 13th century bridge commissioned by Spinetta Malaspina (Castiglione di Garfagnana), the hermitages, included the astonishing "Eremo di Calomini" carved into rock walls (Vergemoli), Romanic parishes and churches, castles and fortresses (Verrucole and Camporgiano) which often shelter artworks like wooden sculptures, Della Robbia terracottas and ceramics, but also traditional iron and marble works by local artisans. Eremo di Calomini
Orecchiella Natural Reserve
 The Ethnographic Museum "Don Luigi Pellegrini" in San Pellegrino in Alpe houses an important collection about the mountain life and trades in Garfagnana. Ethnographic Museum