HK Independent Traveller Blog

  Pontremoli is a small charming medieval city in the province of Massa and Carrara, Tuscany region, central Italy. It is situated 40 kilometres northeast of La Spezia and 90 kilometres (56 mi) south-southwest of Parma. Apart from being a Tuscan town, it is also one of the most distinctive Lunigiana centres . It’s widely believed by historians that Pontremoli is recognized as the mythical Apua, the ancient capital of the Ligurian-Apuan civilization.   It can be the reason that Museum of the Lunigiana Stele Statues ( Piagnaro Castle / Castello del Piagnaro ) is located in this tiny city.   We visited Pontremoli on 1 May, a chilly rainy day. After parking the car, we headed to the Museum of the Lunigiana Stele Statues housed in the Piagnaro Castle straightaway. A lift located directly in the “Porta Parma” car park, near the old hospital. It saved us some energy from climbing up the slippery path.   The Stele Statues , male and female human figures represen...

  Monesteroli is a tiny ancient rural village between Portovenere and Cinque Terre . The key attractions are the demanding staircase with 1,200 steps (“la scalinata grande” or grand staircase )  and breathtaking views.  Along the ways are rows of vineyards, beautiful flowers, endless sea views, peaceful nature, steep cliffs, coastlines of Cinque Terre and panoramic views of the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. We visited Monesteroli at end April, a cloudy day which made the hike easier, without suffering from the heat. The trip started with a drive to Campiglia (or take Atc bus). There is a viewpoint over La Spezia between our parking place and the centre of Campiglia , the highest village in the entire Municipality of La Spezia. The centre is small. Still, you can stock up food and drinks for the hike, if needed. We followed the signpost at Campiglia. Path number 535-536 is the one that leads to the Monesteroli grand staircase passing through woods and vineya...