Historical-Cultural Tour on the Tracks of Michelangelo

From Seravezza follow the panoramic mountain route, through pinewoods and chestnut forests reaching after 7 km the Pieve Romanica di San Martino alla Cappella. The church, built around the 11th cent, and enlarged during the first half of the 1500s is linked to the name of Michelangelo. The rose window, called "Occhio di Michelangelo" ("Michelangelo`s eye") and the portico that was almost entirely destroyed during the Second World War have both been attributed to this great artist.

Proceed to Azzano, in the upper part of the village, through chestnut woods, follow the beautiful mule track that, after about 2 km, leads to an unpaved road that goes up to Polla at the foot of Monte Altissimo (1589 m). The view of the mountain with its vertical sides and the "Tacca Bianca" quarries is exceptional! It is in this place, slightly above Polla that Buonarotti found the marble for sculpturing; it was developed a few decades later by Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany and from the 1800s by the Henraux Quarry Company which achieved international success.

From Polla, follow the same unpaved road back to reach the road "Via Martiri del Lavoro" which after approx. 2 km leads to Azzano. From Azzano go back to "La Cappella" and from here take an enchanting mule track to cross the ancient Bardiglio quarries. These and the Trambiserra quarries, situated on the other side of the Serra stream were chosen by Michelangelo from 1518 to 1520 to extract marble for the façade of the Florentine church "San Lorenzo".

Once you reach the characteristic village of Fabiano, continue the descent on a mule track that in a short time leads to Riomagno and then to Seravezza.


Panoramic Tour Around Seravezza

The itinerary starts from the village of Ripa on a paved road towards Strettoia in the borough of Pietrasanta; pass the town, after 3 km at a sign post to Montignoso, turn right into Via degli Alpini.

This road at times very steep and in some parts paved and others not, leads to a monument dedicated to mountain climbers. After about 700 m the road forks. The path uphill, for walkers only, follows the slopes of Monte Folgorito (approx. 950 m) and leads to Pasquilio in the borough of Montignoso.

Instead take the unpaved road that descends into the village Cerreta S. Nicola, it goes through very old chestnut woods and offers a spectacular view over the coast. This mountain village, with a group of rural houses, a church and a fountain, is situated on a ridge overlooking the Versilia coast. From here follow a mule-track on the left towards Seravezza.

It descends to a canyon with thick vegetation called "La Canala". Proceed carefully in the first part as the path is narrow, winding and slippery in places because it faces north. It then becomes straighter leading first to the town of Riomagno and after a few 100 metres to Seravezza. About 2 km further on is the original starting point of the tour.

An interesting detour (about 1 hour): from Riomagno follow the paved road along the Serra valley reaching a wild and spectacular area with marble debris lining the path and with gushes of water and waterfalls forming characteristic ponds, famous among bathers in the summer. Carry on for another 5 km with the incredible view of the Monte Altissimo facing you, until you reach a fork in the road. On the right hand side the paved road continues towards Azzano (452 m) whereas on the left an unpaved road, used by the quarries, leads to Polla, at the foot of the mountain. The final part of the route is fascinating giving a complete view of the Monte Altissimo quarries which are of great historical value. ... from “Touring Around Versilia” (Versilia, Toscana, Italia)