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Pontremoli and Lunigiana

Lunigiana is an historical area between Liguria and Tuscany. Its name comes from the ancient Roman settlement of Luni, located in the valley close to the Magra river mouth. As a border area, it has always been influenced by different cultures and peoples. 

Pontremoli, the northernmost municipality of Tuscany, geographically and culturally belongs to the Lunigiana area. The origin of its name is debated: it may be coming from an ancient Roman bridge on the river Magra (of which today there is no trace), built in Populus tremula wood – commonly known as aspen – or, according to another theory, it may be due to the precariousness of that bridge that was left at the mercy of floods.

The hypothesis that Pontremoli was actually the legendary city of Apua, capital city of a population called Apuan Ligurians, is well-founded and the humanistic tradition already developed such argument.


Today, it offers visitors the possibility to enjoy the peacefulness of its nature-immersed surroundings, and to discover historical villages and streams ideal to unwind during the hottest summer days.

Address

Pontremoli

Interesting facts

In the Middle Ages, its importance grew notably also thanks to the Via Francigena that, crossing the village of Pontremoli, turned it into a gateway to Tuscany. 
Once the village became independent, it soon fell under the control of many wealthy families of those times, namely the Malaspina, the Castruccio, the Visconti, the Fieschi, and the Sforza families.