Indeed, there are a thousand of other faces of this area that deserve to be discovered. One of these is the valley of the river Serchio, squeezed between the Apuan Alps and the Apennines which is characterized by deep gorges and karst phenomena. In this area, between the city of Lucca and the Garfagnana south to the north, we can find a concentration of culinary excellence and Slow Food: Biroldo (an ancient pudding made with pork and spices), the Bread of potatoes cooked in wood-burning oven, the ham Bazzone (penetrating flavor and delicately aromatic), Mondiola (a salami flavored with Pezie) and then the mushrooms, pearl barley and trout.
Turning to the city, here we encounter Barga, Borgo a Mozzano, Castelnuovo Garfagnana and Bagni di Lucca as well as Vetriano in Camaiore, San Roman and Ghivizzano. There are all small treasures where you can admire the Devil’s Bridge, the smallest historic theater audience in the world, Rocca Ariostesca, the Fortress of Verrucole, the thermal springs and the house of Giovanni Pascoli.
Since the summer is inexorably next, Valle del Serchio might be a good excuse to indulge in 2 or 3 days wandering through cellars, breweries, restaurants, spas and ancient military garrisons in an area of Tuscany that will not disappoint.
By Ina K
