Monte dei Bianchi – Lunigiana

There is a special land here in Italy called Lunigiana, under the administration of the cities of La Spezia and Massa Carrara. It is special because is encompassed by Emilia Romagna, Liguria and Toscana regions. Therefore it is a borderland mainly merged in Alpi Apuane (Apuan Alps) and also overlooking the sea.

In short Lunigiana is unique and nothing short of extraordinary from a naturalistic and historic point of view.

In the ancient times Lunigiana had a strategic position, because it was the natural gateway between the north – western Italy, and therefore Europe, and the central part of Italy. For this it counts several small and wonderful medieval hamlets and castles, some of which well-kept and located in very remote areas.

One of these hamlets, known as Monte dei Bianchi (Mount of Whites), is absolutely worth a visit. The particular name of this site derives from the ancient monastery of San Michele Arcangelo del Monte, inhabited by monks dressed in white – the so called “White Monks”.

In the medieval period, Monte dei Bianchi was the religious centre of the powerful Bianchi d’Erberia family and the still present church of San Michele Arcangelo was built on the ruins of the monastery in the XVIII century.

Monte dei Bianchi overlooks the intersection between Lucido and Aulella streams, which wing through two fantastic valleys covered with thick woods and dominated by the north face of Pizzo d’Uccello, an incredible mountain in the Apuan Alps.

This magnificent landscape can be admired by the churchyard of the church San Michele Arcangelo. You cannot miss this experience ! At the end of Valle del Lucido there is another beautiful hamlet named Vinca completely surrounded by the range of Apuan Alps. Vinca is worth a view for its extraordinary mountain scenery !

If you want more information please contact us using the info box !

Click images to see their description.