Dimora alla Cascata is located in the Lunigiana region of Northern Tuscany. A magical unspoilt area free from tourist crowds, Tuscany's best kept secret, a landscape lost in time where medieval castles and villages perch high above green wooded valleys of chestnut, pine, olive and beech trees and numerous grape vines. It offers a unique location for anyone wishing to rediscover the charm of the Middle Ages in the midst of unequalled countryside.

Lunigiana, some say, takes its name from the port of Luni, a colony founded by the Romans in 177B.C. at the mouth of the Magra River which was later destroyed by the Normans. Others say that it derives from the crescent-shaped outline of the Magra river valley, which resembles a moon (Luna, in Italian). Lunigiana is situated inland of the Ligurian coast adjacent to the plains of Emilia Romagna. The medieval atmosphere which we can soak up in Lunigiana is in no way inferior to that to be found in other, better-known parts of Italy. Everywhere the eye turns it sees traces of Italian and European history, from Prehistory to the Middle Ages and modern times. The whole area is characterised by a picturesque sequence of castles, Romanic churches, walled medieval villages. Besides architecture and monuments Lunigiana offers the tourist a mild climate, a calm and soothing atmosphere in the hills criss-crossed by clear streams. The area caters for all offering museums, thermal waters, sport centres, ski resorts at Zum Zeri and Cereto and trekking on foot or on horse-back. Then add to all this the folklore, traditions, the cuisine and local handicraft and you have something for everyone and last but not least wonderful, friendly people.

Lunigiana is also criss-crossed with the former routes of merchants, churchmen, pilgrims and armies and watched over by an impressive series of castles. There are still over one hundred some now ruins but others have been given a new lease of life, restored by private individuals or by the State. One such castle is that at Verrucola de Fivizzano now lived in by the sculpter Pietro Cascella.

Lunigiana is famous for its cuisine, local restaurants all have good value typical dishes from cold meats, testaroli to vegetable pies, fried seasonal vegetables, porcini mushrooms, wild boar and venison to name but a few. Excellent wines, olive oil, honey and forest fruits are also not to be missed nor are the cakes made of chestnut flour,.

There are numerous celebrations, particularly in the summer months, which seem to take whole villages back to earlier times allowing the tourist to relive the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Inhabitants dress up in traditional costume and medieval-style banquets are organised with dancing and bands playing. One such event worthy of a mention is that held annually during July in Fivizzano in which there is a medieval archery competition held between local villages interspersed with displays of dancing and performances from the Sbandieratori di Fivizzano - flag waving, the grand finale being an impressive display of fireworks.

The rustic and noble buildings in the borgos and even of the little hamlets are worthy of a visit. The Pietra Seren much loved in this area adorns facades, underlines windows and gracefully contours arched doorways. At the top of the arch is often an engraved design, face or date - these are typical of Lunigiana. Then of course, the villages or borgos themselves. Old tunnelled lanes, little stone bridges crossing over the top and arched passageways all blend with the simple, rustic but imposing stone buildings on either side.

Spring and Autumn are special times in the Lunigiana. In the Autumn there is the ritual of the chestnut harvest together with the hunt for porcini mushrooms. Most importantly though is the Vendemmia - wine making when barrels are proved, the grapes picked and pressed and the air is redolent with the smell of fermenting wine. In the Spring the meadows are full with numerous wild flowers and the streams and rivers rushing with water from the mountains. In winter, the sun still shines and the skies are often blue, the dip in temperature brings snow and skiing. The nearest resort is 17 kms away from Dimora la Cascata following the road past the Mill up to Cereto.

Just driving or walking around Lunigiana, you will discover it's rich natural beauty and the character of one of the loveliest parts of Italy set like a green jewel in a triangle between the glistening sea, the mighty Apennines and the soaring Apuan Alps.

The Village of Verrucola di Fivizzano

The magnificently fortified hill called Verrucola, situated between the Mommio River and the Collegnago Canal, dominates the route leading from the Magra River valley to the mountain passes of the western Lunigiana and the plains of Parma and Reggio Emilia beyond. As far back as 1044 there are records referring to the existence of the castle which the Bosi family had established as the seat of their dominion. In the mid 14th century the castle was rebuilt by Spinetta Malaspina the Great, it consists of several buildings dominated by a square keep and still visible are several layers of walls with their openings leading to the village below.- a cluster of red roofed, pretty houses clinging around the base of the castle. In the 16th century a church was built beside the castle with its fine arched open gallery. Verrucola has justifiably been voted by readers on the web of 'Europe for Visitors' as the best and prettiest of Tuscany Hilltowns.

In the area close to Verrucola many megalitic stone statues (stelae or statue-menhirs) were discovered dating from a 1000 or so years before Christ which can now be seen in the museum at Pontremoli.

The Renaissance market town of Fivizzano

Ten minutes walk away is the Medicean walled town of Fivizzano. Here Florence's presence was strong for centuries. A reminder of that government remains as a symbol of the town in the fountain of the Grand Duke in the Medicea Square, featuring sea serpents similar to many adorning fountains in Florence. The 14th century Church of Saints Jacopo and Antonio and the Convent of S. Agostino are worthy of a visit. Fivizzano was the home of the first Italian printer - Jacapo da Fivizzano.

Also to be found in Fivizzano are a variety of bars, restaurants, shops, bakers, banks - everything you could want including some of the best ice cream and pastries in Tuscany at Ricci's Gelatera in the Medicea Square. You can hire a tennis court and there is a large outdoor swimming pool a few minutes car journey out of the town.

Finally, Fivizzano and the surrounding area played an important role during World War II, being a major centre of the Resistance Movement who used the area's natural caves and underground passageways to assist escaping British soldiers as recounted by the author Eric Newby in his book "Love and War in the Appenines".

Other attractions in the near vicinity

The large, commercial town of Aulla, which has the main train station for the area, features the Brunella fortress of Aulla castle (written about by Kinta Beevor in "A Tuscan Childhood") and which nowadays houses the Lunigiana Museum of Natural History.

Close by there is the Bay of Poets (Shelley and Byron swam here and D.H. Lawrence meditated on his next book) and the Cinque Terre. The Cinque Terre consists of five different ancient fishing villages clinging to the overhanging cliffs along the spectacular Ligurian coast, a paradise for painters and walkers - a walk from Monterosso to Vernazza along the clifftop path (about 2 hours) is an unforgettable experience.

Parma, rich with Verdi connections, and Lucca, a superb medieval walled town, are an hour away. A train from nearby Rometto will also take you through the hills to Lucca, skirting the National Park. Torre del Lago with its annual Puccini festival is also an hour's drive if you want to sample Italian opera 'al fresco'. Florence is a couple of hours on the motorway, alternatively you could be sun worshipping in one of the many sandy coves or beaches on the coast within 45 minutes.

Further details of what to see and where to go are given in our booklets in each of the apartments.