Exploring Ancient Fortresses and Hidden Gems in Tuscany

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Hello dear friends,

I've noticed that the posts about villages are very interesting to you and you quite enjoy them, which makes me very happy. So today, I'd like to share with you another interesting exploration that I did, again with my friend as a guide, this time to a fascinating place not far from Fivizzano, the village I talked about yesterday. I find it very beautiful because, among other things, this was a fortress village, so it has remained practically original as it was built. And indeed, you may have already noticed from the first photos the difference from what I shared yesterday.
This place is called Verruccola and we are in Lunigiana, an important connection between Tuscany and Emilia Romagna.

My friend told me that this fortress was built to control the passages that occurred in Lunigiana, this area of Tuscany, and its construction dates back to 1100, so you can only imagine how much history and time have passed in this place.

Naturally, like many castles and fortresses, this place was characterized by struggles between families to possess it. The interesting thing about these families is that when they owned it, they would make some modifications, some improvements, as was the case with the famous Malaspina family, who expanded it, and fortunately, it reached us in these conditions until today.

This place saw continuous expansions and improvements until almost the 1600s when these areas probably became less interesting.

I didn't quite understand how many people live in this place. It must not be easy because there are all small streets, and the problem is always that you can't reach your home by car or any other means. However, I think living here is truly a very special and very traditional experience, and as with all things, there are pros and cons.

I invite you to visit this place in Tuscany because, as I've already said, I think the Lunigiana area is little known in terms of tourism and undervalued, but there are beautiful gems like this one that, in my opinion, are worth visiting.

Naturally, like other villages I've shared here, this village is also inhabited by many little animals, including lots of cats. They are ultimately the masters of the village.

Thank you, I hope the photos I shared have taken you a bit virtually with me on this exploration, but I especially hope that you can really visit this place because it's truly worth it! Thank you all, and see you soon!