Discover Farnocchia: Trails, History and Local Festivals

Farnocchia between mountain trails, sacred art and history

Farnocchia is a destination for you if you would like to combine a journey through the landscape with specific cultural and hiking themes. Monte Gabberi can be reached on foot from Farnocchia in 40 to 50 minutes. The 1,108-metre-high mountain is considered a natural terrace overlooking the sea; the view stretches from the Gulf of La Spezia past Livorno to the island of Gorgona. This places a clearly defined excursion destination alongside the village itself, without requiring you to devote your days exclusively to sightseeing or exclusively to hiking.

Hiking with clearly defined routes

Several described trails make Farnocchia an appealing destination for an active day. CAI Trail 114 connects Valdicastello, Sant’Anna, Foce di Farnocchia, Farnocchia and Culerchia near Le Mulina. CAI Trail 114A begins in Farnocchia at the junction near the Marginetta di Cima alle Selve, leads via Pietralunga on Monte Gabberi and continues to Il Callare.

Another option is the circular hike described by the CAI from Farnocchia via Monte Gabberi and Foce di Farnocchia to Monte Lieto and back to Farnocchia. The Farnocchia–Monte Lieto–Monte Gabberi–Farnocchia circuit is rated difficulty level E and takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes. If you would like to plan your days with activities of varying lengths, this allows you to distinguish between an accessible mountain destination, longer connections and an explicitly classified circular hike. The Farnocchia–Sant’Anna route is also part of the Sentieri Alta Versilia.

Church and historical traces

In the village, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo is an important cultural point of reference. It is thought to date from before the year 1000 and has five altars decorated with polychrome inlaid marble. The church also houses a ciborium created by Lorenzo Stagi in 1497, which is now used as a baptismal font. These details make a visit to the church more than a brief tour of the village: they combine the great age of the building with individual artistic and craft elements and a clearly identified work.

The history of the surrounding area extends beyond the church. In 1349, silver lead and antimony were mined at Bottino and Cuor della Vena in the municipality of Farnocchia. Farnocchia Castle, believed to have been located between the hamlets of Broto, Le Piastre and Cerro, was destroyed by Lucca in 1202 because of its loyalty to the Cattani and was rebuilt almost immediately. In addition, the Filarmonica di Santa Cecilia was founded in Farnocchia in 1850.

Local event and orientation

The Sagra del Magnifico Tordello represents the regional character: it takes place every year in Farnocchia during almost the entire summer. Car and walking access are indicated for Farnocchia. For a cultural and historical excursion, the Museo Storico della Resistenza di Sant’Anna di Stazzema is located in the building of the former primary school of Sant’Anna di Stazzema, near the church square at Via Coletti 22; the same route can also be taken from Farnocchia to Sant’Anna di Stazzema.

Other places for orientation are Retignano, Terrinca, Culla, Palagnana, Levigliani.

For the overview of the wider destination: Stazzema.