Like the Lunigiana, Garfagnana is a historic territory located in northern Tuscany (see the map below). The two have many small castles that are interesting to visit and photograph. These days, the Garfagnana is part of the Province of Lucca.
Garfagnana is a mountainous region, with lots of rainfall. The landscape is often dominated by the verdant green of the vegetation, with a scatter of houses and little castles to make it interesting to the eye.
The forest contains many chestnut trees; Farina di Neccio della Garfagnana, is a famous DOC chestnut flour used in breads and pastries.
The capital of the region is Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The town’s main piazza is bounded on one side by the Rocca Ariostesca, which can be seen in the picture below. It’s named after poet Ludovico Ariosto, who stayed there between 1522 and 1525 while he was governor of the Este province of Garfagnana.
Where is the Garfagnana?
Here’s a map of showing the historic territories of northern Tuscany.
What does the Garfagnana look like?
What’s the Current Weather in Garfagnana?
Castelnuove di Gafagnana Weather
Find a Place to Stay in the Garfagnana
Garfagnana Hotels and Apartments
Garfagnana Vacation Apartments and Houses
Garfagnana, the famous bits
Barga, along with other small villages around it, has a link to Scotland, as many Italians went there to find work in leaner times. Some returned to open shops in Barga. You’ll see not only Scottish crafts, but hear English spoken more often than you’d think in an out-of-the-way village.
Lucca, of course, is a very famous place among folks who visit Italy often. Its surrounding walls have kept the historic medieval buildings intact. Lucca’s Historic Villas, surrounding the town, are worth visiting for a look at the merchant class life of long ago. Local vino comes from the Montecarlo Wine Country just outside of Lucca.
Food Specialties of the Garfagnana
If you plan on eating polenta here, make sure it’s made from Otto File corn (eight-row flint corn—also called “Formentone”, and often milled in water mills).
Garfagnana Biroldo is a local blood sausage.
The addition of around 15% mashed potato to the local bread makes it softer, and goes will with the salumi served as an appetizer.
Just in case you think Parma and San Daniele are the only places prosciutto is made in Italy, remember that peasants used to produce it since forever. Garfagnana and Serchio Valley Bazzone Prosciutto comes from the territory.
Enjoy your exploration of this fascinating part of Tuscany.