Zeri: Landscape, Regional Cuisine and Special Trails

Zeri combines a landscape of natural significance with regional specialties, unusual trails and places where history and local traditions become visible.

Forests, Pastures and Impressive Natural Sites

The area around Zeri is rich in forests and pastures. Among the notable natural destinations is the Cascata della Colombara, a waterfall of natural significance near the municipal road to Bosco. The Ponte dei Rumori has a different character: It crosses a very deep channel associated with local legends. The Stretti di Giaredo are also located in the surroundings of Zeri, in the border area between Pontremoli and Zeri. The visit takes you through the stream bed; in some places, deep, crystal-clear pools must be swum through. This makes the experience distinctly different from an ordinary walk. If you want not only to observe the landscape but to cross it in a special way, this site is one of the area’s distinctive attractions.

Trails and Historic Places

The route known as “i sentieri della memoria di Zeri” leads from Arzelato, a hamlet of Pontremoli, to Patigno. Its name points to a historical reading of the landscape and makes it a distinct way of exploring the area. Formentara is an alpine settlement at an altitude of over 1,100 metres dating from the early 16th century. The site thus brings a concrete historical dimension to the higher-altitude landscape. The Monumento di Pace e Libertà, a partisan memorial complex, is located at Passo del Rastrello in the municipality of Zeri. In Montelama, you will in turn encounter a distinctive local designation: The place is known as the “paese dei maghi,” or “village of magicians.” The municipality’s profile also includes the Zum Zeri ski area, which is located in the municipality of Zeri. It expands the selection of documented experiences with a winter sports theme, while the trails, water sites and historic places offer different focal points.

Regional Cuisine from Zeri

The area’s culinary character can be seen in several clearly named products and preparations. The cultivation area of Fagiolo di Zeri Lunigiana is the village of Zeri in Tuscany. Patata di Zeri Lunigiana comes in three colour varieties: reddish-white, white and pale yellow. Agnello di Zeri also has a traditional method of preparation. Agnello al testo is prepared using a cast-iron oven over hot coals. This preparation is directly associated with the Sagra del Testo, which takes place in April and presents dishes prepared with a cast-iron testo.

Zeri as the Starting Point for Your Selection

For further orientation, you can also access Coloretta (Coloretta) and Casa Rocchino (Casa Rocchino). Other linked destinations are Corlaga (Corlaga), Cantiere-ponticello (Cantiere-ponticello), Comano (Comano), Podenzana (Podenzana), Tresana (Tresana) and Prota (Prota).

For the overarching travel overview: Massa-Carrara.