Piano Di Coreglia-Ghivizzano: Castles, Churches and Pilgrimage Route

Historic Settlements as a Starting Point

Piano di Coreglia tells its story through fortified settlements, castles and churches. Piano di Coreglia emerged from the union of three very old fortified settlements. Villa di Cistrignana is the present-day historic center of Piano di Coreglia. The castle of Villa di Cistrignana appears in imperial documents from 1185 and 1242 as one of the most important fortresses in the Garfagnana. Nestrignana, also known as Villa di Cistrignana, had a castle and belonged to the Piviere of Loppia. The castle of Colle Bertingo is also part of this historical perspective: it played an important role in Coreglia’s defensive system for several centuries. The parish church of Santa Lucia was mentioned in 1260, 1276–1277 and 1387. If you would like to combine different cultural interests with your family, you can therefore explore various historical themes side by side here, without reducing the local history to a single attraction.

Ghivizzano: Gate, Path and Preserved Testimonies

Another focal point is Ghivizzano. Access to Ghivizzano is through a round-arched gate. From this entrance gate, Via Piastronata leads to the town center. Via Sossala encloses the southern area of the castle of Ghivizzano. It has a vaulted ceiling illuminated only by loopholes. The tower of Ghivizzano’s fortifications has been preserved. The churches also preserve tangible evidence of the past. The Church of San Pietro preserves well-preserved paintings and an old tabernacle. The Church of San Antonio in Ghivizzano preserves an ambo from a pulpit and a 15th-century baptismal font. Thus, while touring the historic sites, you can take in both the fortifications and sacred art and individual furnishings.

The Via Matildica del Volto Santo

For a stay with a spiritual and walking focus, the Via Matildica del Volto Santo is a distinct point of interest. It is a spiritual long-distance hiking route from Mantua to Lucca. From Piano di Coreglia, the Via Matildica del Volto Santo continues to the castle of Ghivizzano. If someone in your family is as interested in a longer walk as in cultural history, this route can be considered as a separate focus alongside the castles and churches.

Annual Festivals and Regional Culture

In Piano di Coreglia, the San Lorenzo fair takes place every year on August 10. The Santa Lucia fair takes place every year on December 13. At the Museum of Plaster Figures and Emigration in Coreglia, an extensive collection of statuettes conveys the local tradition of plaster-figure making. In Ghivizzano Castello, the “Norcini a Castello” event combined gastronomy, music and local tradition on September 21. Discover more destinations: Gromignana, Vitiana.

For the higher-level travel overview: Coreglia Antelminelli.