While marble plays the leading role in the economy of the slopes of the Apuan Alps facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, there are, however, extensive woods of beech, chestnut and fir surrounding towns and villages of notable artistic and historical importance such as Seravezza, which, in its oldest part, has an intersting series of aristocratic Villas and medieval churches, and Stazzema, on a hill offering splendid views, with, just before the village, the notable Romanesque church of Santa Maria Assunta.

The villages of Pomezzano, with its work shops where, using time honered techniques, master smiths forge scultors tools, and Pruno, where every year in December the local people take part in a fascinating creche with human figures. Proceding towards the heart of the Apuan Alps along routes of outstanding natural beauty, visitors may then cross the mountains and descend into Garfagnana.

The road passing through Galleria del Cipollaio was also known as Via d’Arni because it constituted the first link with this valley, in the 19th century an important marble producing area.

Dominated by Monte Corchia, the road climbs up, with Pania della Croche on the right and on the left in the distance, Monte Altissimo, rent open up to its summit by quarries.

Beyond the Cipolliao tunnel, built under the pass of that name and 1125 metres in length, its particularly interesting to descend the barren limestone valley of the Turrite Secca.

The tiny stone built hamlet of Isola Santa is what remains of the original village, which was submerged by construction of a reservoir serving hydroelectric power to the station of Torrite.

Every ten years, when the resevoir is emptied (the next time is expected to be 2014), the runied houses of the old village emerge.

Originally posted 2009-02-13 16:42:35.