Apuan Alps and Garfagnana Attractions

With its collection of molds, old documents and variety of figurines the Museo della Figurina di Gesso offers fascinating insight into the history of this plastic art.

A detour should be made off the SS 12 to Brancoli, where the three-aisled, 12th century parish church of San Leonardo bears many of the hallmarks of Lombard Romanesque. The beautiful pulpit (c. 1200) supported on four columns is attributed to Giudetto da Como, architect of Lucca Cathedral.

Southeast of Castelnuovo the SS 445 continues along the Serchio Valley in the direction of Lucca. After about 8km/5 mi a road to Barga branches off left via Castelvecchio Pascoli where Giovanni Pascoli (1855-1912) lived the latter years of his life in the Villa Cardosi-Carrara. Now a museum, the house contains manuscripts and other memorabilia of the celebrated poet.

The route proper continues along the SS 445 through the fertile Serchio Valley to Bagni di Lucca (12km/7.5mi). Those wishing to see more of this pleasant countryside however can make another detour, this time to Coreglia Antelminelli where a rather unusual craft is kept very much alive. Skilled figuristi (literally: "modelers") have been producing plaster of Paris figures here since the 17th century.

Pescaglio, about 12km/7.5mi west of Borgo a Mozzano, boasts an unusual museum. Housed in an old mill it is dedicated to the chestnut - as a food, and as a source of wood for tools, furniture and household equipment.