The best traffic-free bike rides around Fosdinovo

The Canale Lunense cycle-pedestrian path is a flat route of about 12-20 km that runs along the banks of the irrigation canal in the Magra Valley, in Liguria. The Route Municipalities crossed: Connects Santo Stefano di Magra, Sarzana, Castelnuovo Magra and Luni, reaching the archaeological area. Characteristics: The ground is predominantly flat and suitable for walking or cycling (mountain bike or hybrid bike recommended for some sections).

The Canale Lunense cycle-path is a flat route of about 12-20 km that runs along the banks of the irrigation canal in the Magra Valley, in Liguria. The Route Municipalities crossed: Connects Santo Stefano di Magra, Sarzana, Castelnuovo Magra and Luni, arriving at the archaeological area. Characteristics: The ground is predominantly flat and suitable for walks or bike rides (mountain bike or hybrid bikes recommended for some sections).

The Canale Lunense cycle-pedestrian path is a flat route of about 12-20 km that runs along the banks of the irrigation canal in the Magra Valley, in Liguria. It connects Santo Stefano di Magra, Sarzana, Castelnuovo Magra and Luni, reaching the archaeological area. The surface is predominantly flat and suitable for walks or bike rides (mountain bike or hybrid bike recommended for some sections).

The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Castelnuovo Magra is a must-see for anyone visiting the village. Built on the foundations of a pre-existing structure, its current elegant structure, in late Renaissance and Baroque style, dates back to the 17th century. The church is historically known for housing the "Crucifixion" by Pieter Brueghel the Younger. This masterpiece, which arrived in Castelnuovo Magra in the 19th century, has been at the center of complex conservation issues, including two foiled theft attempts over the years. After careful restoration, the work was transferred to the Museo Lia in La Spezia for conservation and security reasons and is therefore unfortunately no longer visible inside the church.

The Citadel, also known as the Sarzana Fortress or Firmafede Fortress, was the first fortification in Sarzana, built in the 13th century. It was owned by the lord Castruccio Castracani, who made numerous significant modifications to its defenses. After its destruction by Florence in 1487, it was rebuilt on the orders of Lorenzo de' Medici. In 1494, the Republic of Genoa, having regained possession of Sarzana, completed work on the Citadel. The fortress is used as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions and also houses the Fortress Museum, an interactive exhibit that traces the history of Sarzana and the Lunigiana region.

Of the five gates that once provided access to the town, Porta Romana and Porta Parma remain on the opposite side. We are on the ancient Via Romea, and today's Via Mazzini is a vestige of it. Its current appearance, clad in white Carrara marble, dates back to 1783; on the exterior is the coat of arms of Genoa and, higher up, a statue of Mary.

It was built on the area where the parish church of San Basilio once stood, starting in 1204. Construction work ended in 1474 with the completion of the upper part of the façade by Leonardo Riccomanni. Following the completion of the work, in 1735 the statues of Saint Eutychiano in the centre, of Sergius IV on the left and of Nicholas V on the right were placed on the façade. The building, which represents the sum of all the historical-artistic production of Sarzana and the Magra Valley, has been elevated to a minor basilica. It preserves, among other works, the crucifix by Mastro Gugliermo (1138), the first dated example of a painted cross in the history of art.

The building of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, erected on the area occupied by the previous parish church of San Basilio, is consequent to the transfer of the bishop's seat from Luni to Sarzana in 1204. È assai probabile che i lavori siano effettivamente iniziati solo alla fine del secolo XIII. In 1355, the lower part of the façade was completed (as recalled by the inscription engraved on the marble architrave of the portal), while in 1474 Lorenzo Riccomanni da Pietrasanta created the rose window that adorns the upper part. The construction of the bell tower also dates back to the 15th century, while between the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, the two side bodies flanking the marble façade were built to open the six internal chapels. Also dating back to the 18th century are the statues placed at the crowning of the building depicting three important exponents of the Lunigiana church: Pope Sergius IV, St. Eutichiano and Nicholas V. The interior with three wide naves divided by octagonal pillars and covered by a valuable wooden coffered ceiling, created in 1670 by Pietro Giambelli from Pisa, preserves important testimonies of art and faith: among them, the Reliquary of the Precious Blood of Christ and the painted Cross by Mastro Guglielmo, a cornerstone of Italian Romanesque painting, signed and dated 1138. (c) https://visitsarzana.it/cathedral-santa-maria-assunta/