Castelnuovo di Garfagnana

Castelnuovo di Garfagnana is the main town of the Garfagnana, a hilly area of Tuscany lying between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in the province of Lucca. Set along the Serchio river, it retains a medieval historic centre built around the Rocca Ariostesca, a fortress named after the poet Ludovico Ariosto, who governed the province in the 16th century. The town also has a cathedral and several characterful lanes worth exploring on foot. It serves as a convenient base for visiting the Grotta del Vento, one of Italy's best-known show caves, as well as the Orecchiella Nature Park and the hiking trails of the surrounding mountains. The Garfagnana area is known for traditional produce such as farro and chestnut flour, both staples of local cuisine. The climate features mild summers and cooler winters than the Tuscan lowlands, making it well suited to outdoor pursuits. The region remains popular for rural tourism, walking holidays and discovering Tuscany's natural and culinary heritage away from the more crowded routes.