Comano in Lunigiana: Castle Ruins, Hikes and Pattona

Comano in Lunigiana brings together medieval landmarks, trails towards Passo del Lagastrello and a distinctive chestnut-based cuisine. This means different interests can go hand in hand on your trip to Tuscany: the castle ruins and church add historical highlights, while hikes and viewpoints draw your attention outdoors, and pattona and testaroli showcase the regional cuisine. You can explore the town according to what matters most to you during your stay.

Castle ruins and a long history

The earliest confirmed records of Comano date back to the 9th century. On a hill stands the cylindrical tower ruin, the surviving part of the 11th-century Castello Malaspina. It is a distinctive landmark of Comano. The early records of the town and the later construction of the castle mark different periods in its history; the tower ruin is a tangible point of reference for its medieval past. If you enjoy historic buildings alongside landscapes and food when you travel, this offers a distinctive way to experience Comano.

Torsana: church and landscape

In Torsana, the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore was built in the 12th century. It adds another medieval building to complement the tower ruin. Torsana has been part of the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano since 2010. From the church square, you may be lucky enough to spot golden eagles nesting on Punta Buffanaro. Torsana thus combines a medieval church with the chance to observe wildlife.

Waterfall, trails and views

The hamlets of Comano are starting points for walks and hikes to scenic Passo del Lagastrello. One more specific excursion leads to Cascata di Torsana: the waterfall is ten metres high and lies within the municipality of Comano. The approach starts at the cemetery in Torsana; the trail is graded E for hiking and takes approximately 30 minutes. The estimated time helps with planning your day. Check trail conditions locally before setting out. This gives you a choice between the general trails to Passo del Lagastrello and a timed walk to a specific natural attraction.

For a viewpoint-focused outing, there is also Big Bench No. 153. It was installed in 2021 on the road to Passo del Lagastrello. From the bench, the view stretches from the mountains of the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano to the Alpi Apuane. Unlike the approximately 30-minute hike to Cascata di Torsana, this outing puts the panorama first: the two destinations appeal to different interests when planning a trip.

Pattona di Comano and the cuisine of Lunigiana

Pattona di Comano is made in Lunigiana, particularly in the municipality of Comano. The bread is made from chestnut flour and baked in a wood-fired oven, wrapped in chestnut leaves. The leaves are part of the preparation and give pattona its distinctive shape. Testaroli are also a traditional part of Lunigiana’s cuisine and can be sampled in Comano. While pattona is especially closely associated with Comano, testaroli offer a taste of the wider cuisine of Lunigiana. Alongside the castle ruins, church and trails, this provides a culinary highlight focused on regional produce and dishes.

Discover more destinations: Mulazzo, Zeri, Bagnone, Prota, Fivizzano, Gragnana, Marina di Carrara, Pian di Molino.

For the broader travel overview: Massa-Carrara.